Louis Epstein
David Flood <NOSPAMmaoltuile@utvinternet.ie>wrote: : "Louis Epstein" <lepslog@PUF.FCC.NET>wrote in message : news:i9sp8.176761$2q2.14303711@bin4.nnrp.aus1.giganews.com... :>Jon Hall <jgc.hall@tiscali.co.uk>wrote: :>: In message <a8596j$pfnou$1@ID-121201.news.dfncis.de> :>: "David Flood" <NOSPAMmaoltuile@utvinternet.ie>wrote: : <snip> :>:>On another note, isn't she 'merely' the head of the Commonwealth,

:>:>our own West Brits tell us here, Jon? ;) :> :>: Yup, technically 'Head of State' of the nations of the Commonwealth. :>: Jon. :> :>She's Head of the Commonwealth...only Head of STATE of the UK and of :>the Dominions(Commonwealth countries with a Governor-General

:>the Queen)...the UK and Dominions all qualify as "Realms",and the :>Dominions generally prefer to be called Realms since the UK is no :>different from them in being under that category.

: What, even the republics (India, South Africa etc.)?

She's Head of the Commonwealth,which includes the republics (which she is not Head of State of),some indigenous monarchies (which she is not Head of State of),

and her realms(the UK, where she carries out the Head of State duties personally, and the Dominions in which she is represented by Governors-General).