In addition to the United Kingdom, Charles III is now the head of state of 14 of the 56 member nations of the Commonwealth - however, none of them are located on the African continent.Īt the same time, the Commonwealth has recently welcomed some new members that don't share any direct historical ties with the United Kingdom: Togo, a former German colony, and Gabon, a former French colony, joined the Commonwealth earlier this year - without any need or political pressure to do so. While it lacks a clear definition beyond considering itself "a family of nations," the Commonwealth under Elizabeth II served the primary purpose of helping former British colonies gain recognition on the international stage for their independence.īaroness Patricia Scotland, secretary-general of the Commonwealth, said after the queen's passing that "Her Majesty's vision for the Commonwealth at the beginning of her reign has been fulfilled, fuelled by her dedication and commitment."īut will her son, the new king, be able to fulfil a new vision as the new ceremonial head - especially in Africa? Baroness Scotland, a Dominican native, praised the queen and said she would pray for the new king Image: Luke Dray/Getty Images A new direction "One simple lesson from history is that when people come together to talk, to exchange ideas and to develop common goals, wonderful things can happen," the queen once said about the Commonwealth.
The queen sought to channel the remains of that empire into the Commonwealth, of which the late British monarch was not just the ceremonial head but also its biggest cheerleader: His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was in charge of signing the handover papers of some 40 regions around the world in a similar situation during her 70-year reign. Charles witnessed the changing face of the empire himself when then-Rhodesia became independent Image: picture alliance/AP Photo The last time a British monarch got to oversee the decolonization of an African territory that once used to be under the authority of the United Kingdom was in 1980. When Zimbabwe gained its independence, Charles, then Prince of Wales, was there in person to formally hand over sovereignty of the new nation to Robert Mugabe.
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