The Queen travelled tens of thousands of miles to reach far-flung corners of the Commonwealth, and often spoke of her pride at what the group of nations had achieved - but can the organisation continue to exist after her death?
, a former Belgian colony that has been independent since 1962, made the decision to join in the aftermath of its appalling genocide in 1994.
One third of her total overseas visits were to Commonwealth countries and other members of the Royal Family have also been active in maintaining the ties.In 2018, the organisation agreed that Prince Charles would take over the role of head when the Queen died - something that was not automatic, even though the Queen had taken over the role from her father.
At the time she took the throne, the Commonwealth consisted of just eight countries - with many more still under colonial control.Her earliest overseas visits reflect the ties that the UK government wanted to strengthen at the time and that pattern continued throughout, although the monarch could also visit in response to an invitation.
Many of those visits provided some of the most colourful moments of her reign, with the variety and often flamboyance of the cultures she witnessed on her visits providing a contrast to the occasionally staid formality of the ceremonies she often took part in back home.Image: "Such a blend of traditions serves to make us stronger, individually and collectively, by providing the ingredients needed for social, political and economic resilience...
"Looking to the future, this connectivity means we are also aware, perhaps as never before, that wherever we live, our choices and actions affect the wellbeing of people and communities living far away, and in very different circumstances...
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