Elizabeth II (65438+April 2 1, 0926-), whose full name is elizabeth alexandra mary windsor, is currently the British monarch, the head of state of Britain, the Commonwealth and 15 member countries, and the supreme leader of the Anglican Church. Her full name is "God bless Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and its territories, head of the Commonwealth, protector of (Christian) faith (by God's grace, queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and its other territories, head of the Commonwealth, defender of faith)". She was crowned on February 6th, 1952. She is the second longest-serving head of state at present, and the country where she is the head of state is about 654.38+25 million people.

Constitutional status

In Britain, Elizabeth II succeeded to the throne according to the law of succession to the throne of 170 1. She is a Protestant and has never married a Roman Catholic. Although the British throne is generally inherited by blood, since the glorious revolution of 1688, the British Parliament has always had the right to decide who will succeed to the throne. (See British succession to the throne)

Among 15 Commonwealth countries that recognize Elizabeth II as the head of state, her status as head of state has been recognized by the Constitution. These countries were once British colonies or dominions. According to the earlier Westminster Act, which was used to distinguish British colonies from British dominions, "any law that may change the succession to the throne and royal titles must be approved by the British Parliament and all dominion parliaments before it can be implemented." After independence, the 15 countries that continue to recognize the queen (or king) as the head of state have actually achieved a status similar to this kind of autonomous territory, although according to the Westminster Act, these countries are not autonomous territories and have no right to decide on their own to change their inheritance methods. After the death of Elizabeth II, her descendants will become their heads of state according to the constitutions of these countries, not according to the principle of inheritance. Therefore, in fact, neither Canadians nor Australians can be called "people of the Queen".

16 countries with Elizabeth II as the head of state

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Canada

Grenada

Jamaica

New Zealand (because 198 1, the King of England is the head of New Zealand and the head of the Cook Islands).

Papua New Guinea

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia i.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Solomon Islands

Tuvalu

Britain, England