For over 55 years, The Queen has been Head of the Commonwealth.

This is an important symbolic and unifying role. As Head, Her Majesty personally reinforces the links by which the Commonwealth joins people together from around the world.

Listen to The Queen's speech made on her 21st birthday in which she pledges her life to the service of the Commonwealth:

One of the ways of strengthening these connections is through regular Commonwealth visits.

During her reign, The Queen has visited every country in the Commonwealth (with the exception of Cameroon, which joined in 1995 and Rwanda, which joined in 2009) and made many repeat visits. One third of The Queen's total overseas visits are to Commonwealth countries.

The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and other members of the Royal Family are also regular visitors to the Commonwealth.

The Queen keeps in touch with Commonwealth developments through regular contact with the Commonwealth Secretary-General and his Secretariat. This is the Commonwealth's central organisation.

Based in London, it co-ordinates many Commonwealth activities. Her Majesty also has regular meetings with Heads of Government from Commonwealth countries.