King Charles will be as effective as Queen Elizabeth

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing this letter in reference to the article, ‘Queen’s death end of an era’, which was published in The Gleaner on September 9.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom will not make the work of the newly crowned King Charles III any less effective than the work of Queen Elizabeth in relation to the affairs of the Commonwealth.

A Commonwealth realm is a country which has the Queen as its monarch. However, King Charles III will replace the Queen. There are 14 Commonwealth realms in addition to the UK.

Thirty-six out of 56 Commonwealth member states are republic. Charles III, who is the reigning monarch in the Commonwealth realms, is also still the titular head of Commonwealth (but not the head of the members of Commonwealth) in a personal capacity.

This role does not carry with it any power; instead, it is a symbol of the free association of Commonwealth members.

So King Charles III will just be as effective in the affairs of the Commonwealth realms as Queen Elizabeth II.

CARGILL KELLY