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2. Who is the head of the Commonwealth?

3. Is this material actual and up-to-date? Give your comments.

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Head of the Commonwealth - British Queen Elizabeth II

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Under that formula of the London Declaration Queen Elizabeth is the Head of the Commonwealth, a title that is currently individually shared with that of Commonwealth realms. However, when the monarch dies the successor to the crown does not automatically become Head of the Commonwealth. The position is symbolic, representing the free association of independent members. Sixteen members of the Commonwealth, known as Commonwealth realms, recognize the Queen as their head of state^] The majority of members (33) are republics, and five have monarchs of different royal houses.

The Commonwealth has adopted a number of symbols that represent the association of its members. Elizabeth II holds the position of Head of the Commonwealth as a symbol of the Commonwealth's free association, dating back to the London Declaration, issued in 28 April 1949. The English language is recognized as a symbol of the members' heritage; as well as being considered a symbol of the Commonwealth, recognition of it as "the means of Commonwealth communication" is a prerequisite for Commonwealth membership.

TEXT 13

The Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations

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The flag consists of the Commonwealth symbol in gold on a bluefield. The symbol centres on a globe , representing the global nature of the Commonwealth and the breadth of its membership. The globe is surrounded by 61 radiating spears, which form a 'C' for 'Commonwealth'. The number of spears does not represent the number of member states, instead, the large number represents the many ways in which the Commonwealth cooperates.

Headquarters	Marlborough House, London ,UK
Official language	English
Head of the Commonwealth	British Queen Elizabeth II
Secretary -General	Kamalesh Sharma
Chairperson in Office	Julia Gilard
Establishment	Balfour Declaration 18 November 1926
	Statute of Westminster 11 December 1931
	London Declaration 28 April 1949
Area	31,462,574 km2
Population	2.1 billion

The flag developed from car pennants produced for the first time at the 1973Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, held in Ottawa, Canada. The initiative for its design is credited to two Canadians: the first Commonwealth Secretary-General Arnold Smith and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. It was officially adopted on 26 March 1976.

The flag of the Commonwealth of Nations is flown at Marlborough House, London, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat, throughout the year, and for a limited period at other venues where Commonwealth meetings, events, or visits are taking place.

Commonwealth Secretary-General encourages the flying of the Commonwealth flag on Commonwealth Day, and the Office of the Secretary-General notes that "it is not the case that the Union Jack - or the flag of any other member country for that matter - is a substitute for the Commonwealth flag which represents the association of 53 members and their peoples.

TEXT 14

Symbols of Australia