Current links between Great Britain and Canada and Australia?

Question

What kind of link is there between Great Britain and Canada and Australia.

The monarch of Canada and Australia is the monarch of Great Britain. Why is that?

Arent they completely independent from British rule?

Answer 1

Queen Elizabeth has multiple regal roles. In the United Kingdom, she is "...of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of her other realms and territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth...".

This title legally changes in other countries. In Canada, she is "...of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth...". Similar story in Australia.

The 16 countries that acknowledge her as their head of state are called Commonwealth realms, and are linked in the Commonwealth of Nations (formerly known as the British Commonwealth). These are still independent countries, each with independent heads of government (prime ministers). No one country has legal authority over another. The Queen herself has an important, though now largely ceremonial role in each country's political system: as head of state, she must sign a bill before it becomes law. Outside of the UK, countries appoint Governors General (or similar) to sign bills on the Queen's behalf, since it is not very practical to send the bills all the way to Britain.

The Commonwealth of Nations also includes dozens of republics (not realms) that no longer have the Queen as head of state but that continue to regard themselves as having some shared political ancestry with the UK. Most Commonwealth countries (realms or republics) were former colonies of the British Empire, so their political and legal systems have been influenced (usually to large degrees) by the British system.

As for Britain, Canada, and Australia, these countries tend to feel a special relationship with each other, due to the common head of state and common British imperial history. But these days this seems to have more to do with their mutual use of the English language than with historical legacies. Frankly, even the US (a non-Commonwealth country) is often (though not always) seen to be involved in this relationship.

Answer 2

Queen Elizabeth II is considered "Head of the Government" but in the symbolic means only. Recently, Australia went to the poll to decide whether to retain Queen as their head of the state and narrowly decided to keep her. So stay tuned, Aussies may get a new symbolic head of state, most likely President. The true power in both Canada and Australia lies with the parliament and Prime Minister. And yes, they are independent from Great Britain, but retain a close tie as they both used to be the colony and shares much of its culture with UK.

Answer 3

Legally, they are completely independent of Great Britain. And I had no idea that the British monarch, were monarchs of those two countries. Are you sure about this? If she is, it's perfunctory only.

Their only real links or their interwoven history: common language, experience as colonies, etc.

And, thanks for your question,

Alberich

Answer 4

They are part of the British Commonwealth and acknowledge Queen Elizabeth II of the UK as their Head of State.