From becoming queen on 6 February 1952, Elizabeth II was head of state of 32 independent states; at the time of her death, there were 15 states, called Commonwealth realms. Within the Westminster system in each realm, the Queen's government was headed by a prime minister. Appointment and dismissal of prime ministers were common reserve powers that could be exercised by Elizabeth or her governors-general. Elizabeth had 179 individuals serve as her realms' prime ministers throughout her reign, the first new appointment being Dudley Senanayake as Prime Minister of Ceylon and the final being Liz Truss as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, whom she appointed only two days before her death; some of these individuals served multiple non-consecutive terms in office (within the same state) as prime minister. Several of her prime ministers from various realms were appointed for life to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. This list does not cover Commonwealth nations that are not, or have not been, Commonwealth realms, nor holders of offices of prime minister in colonies or sub-national entities such as states or provinces. List of prime ministers Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda became independent on 1 November 1981 with Vere Bird as the first prime minister. Bird had previously been Premier of Antigua. Reference Australia Robert Menzies was the incumbent prime minister when Elizabeth became queen. Reference The Bahamas The Bahamas became independent on 10 July 1973 with Lynden Pindling as the first prime minister. Pindling had previously been the prime minister of the self-governing Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands. Reference Barbados Barbados became independent on 30 November 1966 with Errol Barrow as the first prime minister. Barrow had previously been Premier of Barbados. Reference Barbados abolished the monarchy on 30 November 2021. Mottley remained in office as the republic's first prime minister. Belize Belize became independent on 21 September 1981 with George Cadle Price as the first prime minister. Price had previously been Premier of Belize. Reference Canada Louis St. Laurent was the incumbent prime minister when Elizabeth became queen. Reference Ceylon D. S. Senanayake was the incumbent prime minister of Ceylon when Elizabeth became queen. Reference Ceylon abolished the monarchy on 22 May 1972 and became the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Bandaranaike remained in office as the republic's first prime minister until 23 July 1977. Fiji Fiji became independent on 10 October 1970 with Kamisese Mara