In terms of the number of independent nations for which the same person is lawfully Head of State at the same time is 16 and belongs to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II (UK) – possibly the most powerful woman in the world. Whilst the Queen’s role is nominal and ceremonial (excerising no political powers), over 128 million people in 15 Commonwealth states (plus the UK) recognise her as their monarch.

These 16 are: Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St Christopher and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu.

There are 53 states in the Commonwealth – the other 32 states are Republics and the remaining six members have their own monarch.

The Queen’s official title is: “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith”.