The Commonwealth is one of the world’s oldest political associations of states, with roots going back to the British Empire.
The first modern Commonwealth of Nations was borne in 1949 and King George VI became the first Head of the Commonwealth. It is an association of 56 countries working towards shared goals of prosperity, democracy and peace. Their work is co-ordinated and carried out by the Commonwealth secretariat, created in 1965 and focusing on issues including the environment, trade and economy, young people and society, democracy, government and the rule of law and the support of smaller states.
Since 2016, the Secretary General has been Baroness Scotland of Asthal who attended the Coronation.