Community of States: Where is the King steering the Commonwealth?

The Commonwealth is a loose association of independent states. King Charles III is now at the forefront of this community. Their cohesion crumbled before the death of the Queen. Is this trend accelerating now?

The ties of many states to the British crown are waning – and with them the willingness to accept the British monarch as head of state. King Charles III know that very well. When the Caribbean island nation of Barbados became a republic last November and President Sandra Mason replaced the Queen as head of state, Charles was there in person.

“The creation of this republic offers a fresh start, but it also marks a point on a continuum, a milestone in the long journey that you have not only traveled but created,” he said at the time. “From the darkest days of our past and the terrible atrocities of slavery forever staining our history, the people of this island have braved their way with extraordinary bravery.” Words of appreciation for a state that Charles no longer represents as king. For Barbados is no longer a constitutional monarchy.

Head of state of 15 states – yet

King Charles III is still the head of state of 15 states. But Jamaica wants to follow the example of Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda want the people to vote on their form of government within the next three years, and Australia is also discussing whether a president should take on the role of king.

Baroness Valerie Amos, who was Under-Secretary of State for the Commonwealth under Prime Minister Tony Blair and later became British High Commissioner in Australia, does not necessarily see this development as a threat to the Commonwealth. “I think King Charles feels very strongly that this is a decision by the peoples of the countries and that the close relationship we have with these countries can endure even as they decide who should be the head of state,” he said you.

Criticism of old-fashioned furnishings

Critics, on the other hand, actually see the community in danger. The commentator for The Times, Ben Macintyre, paraphrased it like this: The Commonwealth still comes across as a major address. In fact, the facade is crumbling. The facility is antiquated, there is a lack of resources and it is not clear what the community actually stands for.

Claire Whitaker, Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, would probably disagree. She sees clear advantages. “When I joined the Commonwealth, I saw the importance of states that often do not have the opportunity to sit at the negotiating table, such as the small island states,” she said. The aim is to involve these states and make them heard. Whitaker also believes that many young people have been given opportunities through support programs that they would never have had otherwise.

Breathe new life into the community

However, these advantages alone do not seem to be enough, and the historical connection to the British Crown is strained. Several ex-colonies are demanding that Britain pay reparations for the slave trade that once made the kingdom wealthy. King Charles has great tasks ahead of him: keeping the community together, breathing new life into it and giving it more meaning. The government might even be able to help the king at this point.

Guy Hewitt of the Institute for Commonwealth Studies at the University of London explains why: “I know the UK government is looking for new trade opportunities with the Commonwealth and in the absence of the European market this presents a wonderful opportunity.” Perhaps the British would develop more interest in the Commonwealth as a result. So far, it basically only matters to them every four years – when the Commonwealth Games take place. Because then the British hope to win victories and medals at the major sporting event.