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Context:

King Charles III's visit to Australia, as the head of the Commonwealth, has started debates over the monarchy's relevance.

Details

King Charles III's recent trip to Australia, the first by a sitting British monarch since the late Queen Elizabeth II, has started discussions about the relevance of monarchy.

Monarchists viewed it as a chance to strengthen the bond between Australians and their sovereign. The Australian Republican Movement ignores it as a mere "farewell tour," suggesting it holds no real significance.

About Commonwealth realm

It is sovereign state within the Commonwealth that recognizes Charles III as its monarch and head of state; a symbolic role, with no constitutional power.

Each realm operates independently, although they share the same monarch who resides in the United Kingdom. In these realms, except for the UK, the monarch is represented by a governor-general.

The Commonwealth realm, distinct from the broader Commonwealth of Nations, reflects Britain's imperial influence, connecting about 150 million people worldwide to a monarchy they've never directly experienced. As of October 2024, there are 15 Commonwealth realms.

About Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations or Commonwealth is a global association of 56 member states (India joined after Independence in 1947),  most of the members are former territories of the British Empire. These states are connected through the English language and shared historical and cultural ties. 

The Commonwealth was initially formed as the British Commonwealth of Nations through the Balfour Declaration in 1926 and formalized by the Statute of Westminster in 1931. The London Declaration in 1949 modernized the association, establishing member states as "free and equal."

Charles III is the current Head of the Commonwealth and serves as the monarch of 15 member states known as Commonwealth realms. The other members include 36 republics and five countries with different monarchs. His position as head of the Commonwealth is not hereditary.

Member states have no legal obligations to each other, but some have institutional links. Commonwealth countries are represented to each other by high commissions rather than embassies. 

The Commonwealth Charter outlines shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, which are also promoted through events like the Commonwealth Games.  

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Indian Express

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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements in the context of the Commonwealth of Nations: 1. The Commonwealth was officially formed following the Balfour Declaration. 2. Nauru is the smallest Commonwealth state by geographic size. 3. India became the first Commonwealth country to become a republic. How many of the above statements are correct? A) Only one B) Only two C) All three D) None Answer: C Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: The formation of the Commonwealth was the result of the Balfour Declaration of 1926, which recognized the full autonomy of the dominions within the British Empire. Statement 2 is correct: Nauru is the smallest state in the Commonwealth by geographic size. Statement 3 is correct: India became the first country in the Commonwealth to declare itself a republic in 1950, while still remaining a member of the Commonwealth.