{"id":59,"date":"2013-02-19T16:35:26","date_gmt":"2013-02-19T16:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.commonwealthofnations.org\/?page_id=59"},"modified":"2017-02-02T16:29:34","modified_gmt":"2017-02-02T16:29:34","slug":"the-queens-diamond-jubilee","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.commonwealthofnations.org\/commonwealth\/head-of-the-commonwealth\/the-queens-diamond-jubilee\/","title":{"rendered":"The Queen\u2019s Diamond Jubilee"},"content":{"rendered":"
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‘The Commonwealth bears no resemblance to the empires of the past. It is an entirely new conception built on the highest qualities of the spirit of man: friendship, loyalty, and the desire for freedom and peace.’ This quote from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas Day broadcast of 1953 encapsulates the values and founding principles of the Commonwealth, and highlights the Queen’s immense understanding of, and belief in, this international institution to which she has been continually committed to since adopting the role of figurehead on 6 February 1952.<\/h4>\n

Looking back over her reign, it is clear that the Queen’s involvement as Head of the Commonwealth has been vital and inspirational. The Queen’s guidance and wisdom have enabled this institution to grow from a small group of nations to an association of 53 independent countries spanning six continents and over 2 billion people. It is her quiet diplomacy, subtle encouragement and unifying presence over the past 60 years that will undoubtedly afford the Queen a legacy in which the next 60 years of the Commonwealth are shaped by an endurance of the principles of democracy, equality and peace that have thus far commanded a central focus. Aside from her father, King George VI, Her Majesty is the only person to fulfil the role of Head of the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n

Despite the fact that the position of Head of the Commonwealth is not enshrined in the Coronation Oath, the Queen’s genuine affection for the countries under her headship and desire for the institution to succeed is demonstrated by her ever-increasing involvement, which has always surpassed her expected duties. The past 60 years have seen the Queen extend her role as figurehead into new areas including symbolic functions such as meeting Commonwealth leaders and opening parliament in a number of member nations.<\/p>\n

Through her role as Head of the Commonwealth, the Queen not only promotes unity and increases the profile of the association but also acts as a role model for all kinds of societal actors. While she clearly values her role as Head of the Commonwealth and constitutional monarch she acknowledges that she will perform these roles only as long as the people happily wish her to do so.This is just one of many ways in which she demonstrates and embodies respect for democratic process.<\/p>\n

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The Queen at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings<\/h2>\n

On a biennial basis, the heads of government from all Commonwealth nations meet to discuss important issues across the Commonwealth at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The Queen first attended a CHOGM in 1973, in Ottawa, as part of a royal visit to Canada. Her Majesty has attended, or been present in the host country, for every CHOGM since then, although her formal appearances at the meetings only began in 1997. Speaking at the opening ceremony of CHOGM 2011 in Perth, She said of these meetings that: ‘Their importance has always been in precise relationship to their relevance: always being attuned to the issues of the day, and always looking to the future with a sense of vision and practical action to match.’ The Queen’s attendance at these meetings may be seen to reinforce her unifying role in strengthening co-operation among Commonwealth countries; her sense of commitment is clear and exemplified by considering that, despite the disagreement of then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Her Majesty attended the 1979 CHOGM in Lusaka, Zambia regardless of security concerns. This was the Queen’s first visit to Zambia and demonstrated her selfless awareness that then President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, was in need of her support. The subsequent summit was a success, with the Queen utilising her renowned diplomacy to perform a conciliatory role.<\/p>\n

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The Queen and Commonwealth countries<\/h2>\n

Beginning with her first official Commonwealth tour, which set off in November 1953, the Queen has paid numerous visits to virtually every country in the Commonwealth. This first tour lasted six months, included 13 countries and saw the Queen and Prince Philip travel by plane, car, rail and sea. Many of the countries visited had never before seen their Queen, and thus the trip provided a timely opportunity not only to promote the image and values of the Commonwealth, but also to reiterate Her Majesty’s position as symbolic leader around the world. Since then, the Queen has continued to visit Commonwealth countries across Asia, Africa, the Pacific, the Americas and the Caribbean, and Europe.<\/p>\n

Often planning her meetings around CHOGMs and the Commonwealth Games, the Queen also manages to find time to greet members of the public and pay her respects to the memories of the many Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives in World Wars I and II. During these visits, through her warmth and support the Queen has seen her relationships with world leaders grow from strength to strength, with many now looking upon her with feelings of friendship as well as respect. Her Majesty has formed an enduring friendship with former South African president Nelson Mandela, with him referring to her as ‘my friend Elizabeth’ and her signing off letters to him with the words ‘Your sincere friend, Elizabeth R’. The continuation of such visits and the network of friendships that they cultivate around the Commonwealth are vital in reiterating the association as a family of nations that holds common interests at heart.<\/p>\n

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The Queen and her realms<\/h2>\n

The Commonwealth is also home to all 16 of the Commonwealth realms. Following independence from the UK, these former British colonies have chosen to retain constitutional relationships and the tradition of having the Queen as head of state. Aside from the United Kingdom, there are 15 Commonwealth realms in existence today: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Barbados, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.<\/p>\n

In her capacity as monarch of all Commonwealth realms, Queen Elizabeth II has made over 80 visits to these countries. Beginning with her maiden official visit to a Commonwealth realm as Queen of New Zealand in 1953, Her Majesty’s visits have stretched the breadth and range of all habitable continents of the world, with her many subsequent official visits including:<\/p>\n