📕 AXE 6 : LES PAYS DU COMMONWEALTH
Héritages, unité, diversité

Although frequently weak, the Commonwealth is a serious project for a more hospitable world Credit: DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP

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In the early 20th century, the once-mighty British Empire began to fall as its territories—including Canada, South Africa, and India—pushed for self-rule. Yet these nations maintained their ties as the British Commonwealth of Nations, now simply the Commonwealth of Nations.

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Queen Elizabeth II, with her husband, Prince Philip, is presented with a bouquet by a member of a youth group on her arrival in Barbados for a royal visit in 1966. Royal tours are considered essential to shoring up goodwill toward the monarchy in Commonwealth realms.

Photograph by Bride Lane Library, Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at a civic ceremony in New Delhi during the Royal Tour of India, circa January 1961. India doesn't swear fealty to the British monarch but does recognize Charles III as the leader of the Commonwealth of Nations.

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A group photograph from the Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference in London on September 6, 1966. Leaders of the Commonwealth member countries still gather regularly at the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Photograph by Roger Jackson, Central Press/Getty Images