The commonwealth Modern Commonwealth is a voluntary free ast Bears no resemblance to the Empire of the association of 54 independent sovereign states each responsible for its own policies but co operating together in their common interests 32 members of the commonwealth are republics, e.g. India 17 are monarchies with Queen Elizabeth l as Head of State, e.g. Australia, canada 5 have national monarchs, e.g. FijiThe Commonwealth ▪ Bears no resemblance to the Empire of the past. ▪ Modern Commonwealth is a voluntary free association of 54 independent sovereign states each responsible for its own policies but co￾operating together in their common interests. ▪ 32 members of the Commonwealth are republics, e.g. India ▪ 17 are monarchies with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State, e.g. Australia, Canada ▪ 5 have national monarchs, e.g. Fiji