By 1949 , the British Commonwealth was a group of eight countries , each having George VI as king . India , however , desired to become a republic , but not depart the Commonwealth by doing so . This was accommodated by the creation of the title '' Head of the Commonwealth '' for the King and India became a republic in 1950 . Subsequently , many other nations including Pakistan , Sri Lanka , Malaysia and Singapore ceased to recognise the monarch of the United Kingdom as their respective head of state , but as members of the Commonwealth of Nations recognised the British monarch as Head of the Commonwealth . The title is currently held by Queen Elizabeth II , George VI 's eldest daughter . Charles , Prince of Wales , was appointed her designated successor at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018
Head of the Commonwealth