Talk:List of state leaders in 2003

Untitled
See: Talk:Incumbents by year

Elizabeth II is not only Queen of the UK and "Commonwealth Monarch", but "Queen of Canada," "Queen of Papua New Guinea," "Queen of Barbados," etc. john 18:54, 25 Apr 2004 (UTC)


 * Royal titles really aren't my area of expertise, whereas they do seem to be yours. I put "Commonwealth Monarch" because I wasn't sure how I should list the Queen; if you have a better system please do implement it.  -- Jonel 19:27, 25 Apr 2004 (UTC)

Basically, since the 1920s, the British monarch has been King/Queen of each of the various commonwealth members separately. So, Elizabeth II is not Head of State of Canada by virtue of being Queen of the UK, but through the separate office of Queen of Canada. Thus, while she cannot take action in the UK without advice from her government, as Queen of Canada she must get advice from her Canadian ministers - the British government plays no role at all. I think the formulation "Commonwealth Monarch" implies a subordinate position for these countries, when in fact the Queen's role in them is the same as in the UK, save that in those countries she is represented by a Governor-General. john 21:14, 25 Apr 2004 (UTC)