The islands which form Tuvalu were formerly known as the Ellice Islands.

Together with the Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati), they were proclaimed a protectorate in 1892 and annexed to the British Crown (at the request of the local governments) as the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony in 1915.

In 1975 the Ellice Islands severed constitutional links with the Gilbert Islands and took a new name, Tuvalu, achieving independence in 1978. Tuvalu retained The Queen as Head of State.

It is now a special member of the Commonwealth, with the right to participate in all Commonwealth activities and functions, but not to attend Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings.