Why Queen Elizabeth II was the queen of 15 countries

The Commonwealth, explained.

After centuries of colonizing much of the world, the British Empire began its fast descent in the 1960s amid a global wave of independence movements. But when Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, she was not only still queen of 14 countries besides the United Kingdom, she was also still the leader of an organization that on a map looks a lot like the British Empire.

The British Empire created the first iteration of the Commonwealth to appease white settler colonies looking for more autonomy. It granted them more independence to govern themselves but kept them under the crown. As British leaders realized their power might be at risk throughout their colonies worldwide, the monarchy made a play to keep ties and preserve their global influence by allowing newly independent republics to join the Commonwealth too. The only catch: They had to accept the queen as the leader of the organization. With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, this vestige of the British Empire is now under the leadership of King Charles III. So, what exactly is the Commonwealth? Why is it still here? And will it survive?

Correction: A previous version of this video mistakenly showed Myanmar as a member of the Commonwealth on a 1994 map, mislabeled Sierra Leone and Gold Coast for a brief moment on a 1927 map, and omitted Greenland, all of which have now been corrected.

We have also clarified that India became a republic shortly after independence with a new line of narration at 3:12; corrected Queen Elizabeth II’s title at 00:16 and 00:47; and updated the date Barbados became a republic from November 29, 2021, to November 30, 2021.

Sources:

Read about Barbados shedding the queen and becoming a republic:

To learn more about the sugar plantations under the British Empire check out this project:

To understand 20th-century Britain and the rise of independence movements, check out “The Impact of the Second World War on the Decolonization of Africa”:

To take a deeper look at how the monarchy started using its image and the media to stay relevant and survive in a changing world, check out Ed Owens’ book:

To understand the role of the Commonwealth today, check out this op-ed by Philip Murray, director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies:

For a deeper look at royalty in general and the British Royal family in particular, watch our episode of Royalty, Explained on Netflix:

[Darkdragon]

One thing that isn't properly explained here, is that Commonwealth realms are 100% independent kingdoms like Canada.

[Zveebo]

One thing you probably should have mentioned is that while the Queen (and now the King) is the ceremonial head of the Commonwealth, its secretary-general (who leads it on a practical basis) is Patricia Scotland, a black Dominican-born dual British/Dominican citizen and lawyer – she was one of the speakers at the Queen’s funeral, reflecting her importance.

[jakejenkins]

Important yet pedantic correction, you state "she was not just the Queen of England" she was never the Queen of England, the last Queen of England was Queen Anne. She was the Queen of the United Kingdom.

[frettedlife]

Vox your timeline is wrong (2:30) Queen Elizabeth took the throne in the 1952 India was Independent in 1947. It was a dominion in between 1947-1950. In 1950 India adopted its own constitution and became a Republic dropping the prefix of Dominion and Royal from the Indian Air Force & Indian Navy. You can simplify history for a larger audience but don't water it down by jumping timelines and distorting it.

[petelosuaniu]

The Commonwealth is held in high regard by smaller former British colonies for the diplomatic access they get to big global economic players like the UK, Canada, India and Australia (the big players). The big players see value in extending their geopolitical reach and soft power across the globe.

[zeruiahthompson]

It's so weird to how such a small country had so much power and influence for nearly half of the world. However, let's not forget the atrocities committed towards these countries

[LudicrousPlatypus]

India was independent before Queen Elizabeth II took the throne.

[parvchetri]

Here in India, the monarchy was never liked despite the Queen's visits. Not many Indians today favour the modern british monarchy, only some. Most are strictly on the "forgive but never forget" policy demanding an apology and the Koh-i-noor diamond. Indians don't see the british or the british people as bad or evil, we just don't like how the brits still whitewash their dark history and have never done an official apology. Visits by the royals won't fix anything if they can't apologize in the first place.

[KLyon]

One of the driving factors of a country retaining the Queen as their Head of State but not be in the Commonwealth is to have access to the Privy Council, which can hear cases from outside the UK in countries with less developed legal systems.

[Ark--fnmy]

Have you ever watched a video and though to yourself

"The person who made this video WAS DEFINITELY NOT SOMEONE WHO IS FAMILIAR WITH THE SUBJECT"

This video screams that feeling lol

[jeruelsjeruel]

ppl commenting how a small country could rule the world let me explain: it's because the Royal Navy was the most powerful naval fleet in the world for centuries, the British succeeded in conquering the world by being technologically, politically and economically strategic in a way no other nation in the world could have been. that's what made the birth of the empire stand out from the rest. however the atrocities would be the downfall of the empire eventually

[marcusalxander]

Ummm I’m certain that Fiji 🇫🇯 is still part of the Commonwealth, it was suspended but that suspension was lifted almost a decade ago.

[studiosthesgguyk]

Fiji actually returned to the Commonwealth

[eliashk]

Its like a cool club. We even have the Commonwealth games, some sort of a mini Olympic games with member countries participating.
Back in 1998, my country Malaysia played host to this games, and the late HM Queen Elizabeth II officiated the closing of the games.

[jadonhung]

1:16 why isn't greenland on the map?!!

[sophroniel]

My grandfather, the premier historian on the history of the commonwealth, died this month, 11/09/22, age 90. He was buried the same day as the Queen. I can't help but feel there is something symbolic in that, like an "out with the old in with the new" sort of thing.

[lambdacore]

Actually this Commonwealth concept can be a very good thing. The former colonizer empire and colonized nations acknowledging the past and work together for a better future for all. Sure the execution might be far from perfect but it can always be better.

[KieranDesmond]

Great video. In the past few weeks I've had the same question about Ireland. We've been a republic since 1937 and interestingly, politicians in Ireland and India at the time discussed their paths to freedom.

[pranaypallavtripathi]

This question has been on my mind for the past 13 years. Thanks for the explanation 👍

[Schoritzobandit]

Would have been cool to see a mention of other countries who left the commonwealth, most conspicuously Ireland