The queen's death marks a new era for the 40 Commonwealth countries that don't even recognize the British monarch as their leader; such as India, Singapore, and Kenya. They will still recognize Charles III as the new head of the organization that works to protect the environment, boost trade, and support democracy throughout the world though.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The Commonwealth of Nations was born out of a slow disintegration of the British Empire, which covered a fifth of the world's surface at its peak in the late 19th century. Its holdings spanned from Hong Kong to the Carribbean to a wide swath of southern and East Africa. Queen Victoria, whose rein was critical to consolidating the empire, became Empress of India in 1877. But even as the empire expanded, some of its colonies grew frustrated with imperial oversight. Anxious not to stoke another revolution, Britain agreed to Canada's colonists'  terms in July 1867. But it didn't give up control of the territory: Instead, a united Canada became a British dominion.  The distinction meant Canada could rule itself but its laws would still be subject to British oversight-meaning they could be vetoed at the monatch's discretion.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         In subsequent decades, other predominantly white British colonies became dominions too, including Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, South Africa, and the Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland). In the aftermath of World War I, however, rising nationalism in the dominions, which had fought alongside Britain, sparked a push for more than just self-governance. In 1926, Britain and the dominions agreed that they would all be equal in status, "united by a common allegiance to the Crown." The declaration-formalized in 1931 with the Statute of Westminster-ushered in the official founding of the British Commonwealth of Nations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       It would take about two more decades for the Commonwealth to evolve into its modern-day form--with a push from the independence movement in India. A movement led by Mahatma Gandi fought for full independence from colonial rule in 1947. That opened the floodgate for other countries to join the Commonwealth under the same conditions. With that, the organization officially became the Commonwealth of Nations. In 1949 they issued the London Declaration, allowing India, Pakistan, and Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) to join "as free and equal members."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Today there are 54 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, which tackles initiatives related to trade, environmental protections, education, and more. Members have no obligation to one another but are united through their common values--and, for most, their shared histories as former British colonies. Mosambique and Rwanda became the only two countries without any historical ties to the British Empire to join the organization, in 1995 and 2009 respectively. Both countries sought to take advantage of the diplomatic and economic ties that membership would bring.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               14 members still do not recognize the monarch. Known as the Commonwealth realms, these countries include Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papau New Guinea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Solomon Islands, Tuvala, the United Kingdom, and -- for now at least--Antigua and Barbuda. The British monarch is not automatically the head of the Commonwealth. The position is technically not hereditary but selected by member nations. In 2018, the organization announced that Prince Charles would succeed his mother just as she had succeeded her father--but that may not hold true for future monarchs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Either way, the role is symbolic. While a bureaucracy oversees the day-to-day work of the organization, Queen Elizabeth's role was mainly to reinforce the bonds among member nations by embarking on regular royal tours. The monarch's role is slightly different in the Commonwealth realms. Although they are not part of Britain--and they elect their own governments--these countries do still swear fealty to the British monarch. The king is represented in the Commonwealth realms by governors-general, de facto heads of state who carry out ceremonial duties like approving legislation and appointing ministers, ambassadors, and judges.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               A February 2021 survey found that 55 percent of Canadians believe the British royal family is no longer relevant to their lives--and half said that the queen should be removed as their head of state.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 -by AMY MCKEEVER