COMMONWEALTH HONOURS

The institution of Orders in the nineteenth century reflected Britain's imperial role.

Certain Orders, such as the Order of St Michael and St George (which remains closely associated with the diplomatic service), were created to reward loyalty and service overseas by both officers from this country and those in the then colonial states.
 
With the creation of the new Commonwealth in the mid-twentieth century, many countries of the old Empire became independent, appointed their own heads of state and some countries introduced their own honours systems.

Other realms, which retained a constitution with The Queen as Head of State and did not create their own honours systems, still put forward nominations for British Orders.

The Governor-General, as the Sovereign's representative, usually invests the recipients but they may, if they wish, come to an Investiture in Buckingham Palace.