The number of independent countries where Elizabeth II was head of state varied during her record-breaking 70-year reign, altogether seeing her as sovereign of a total of 32 independent countries during this period. In her capacity as Queen of the United Kingdom (including the British overseas territories), she was also monarch of three Crown Dependencies— the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey (as the Duke of Normandy), and the Isle of Man (as the Lord of Mann). As Queen of New Zealand, she was also monarch of two associated states within the Realm of New Zealand—the Cook Islands and Niue—after they acquired this status in 1965 and 1974, respectively.Constitution of the Cook Islands

The situations in two countries differ from the others. The government of the unrecognised state of Rhodesia proclaimed its allegiance to Elizabeth II as Queen of Rhodesia from 1965 to 1970. However, she did not accept either the role or the title and it was not accepted or recognised by any other state. Fiji became a republic through a military coup in 1987, after which its Great Council of Chiefs continued to recognise Elizabeth II as queen, or Paramount Chief of Fiji, until the council's disestablishment on 14 March 2012. This was only a ceremonial title, with no role in government.

Status of the monarchy in each realm During her reign, Elizabeth II served as the constitutional monarch of multiple independent states, each with its own legal framework. In all realms except the United Kingdom, her role was largely ceremonial, exercised locally by a Governor-General, though the specific constitutional powers delegated to them occasionally varied.

Continuous realms (1952–2022) In four Commonwealth realms alone was Elizabeth II the head of state for the entirety of her reign, from her accession upon the sudden death of her father George VI to her own death and succession by her son Charles III.

United Kingdom (since 1801)

The United Kingdom is the historic centre of the Commonwealth realms' personal union. The sovereign serves as head of state within a constitutional framework in which political authority is exercised by Parliament and the government, while the monarch performs ceremonial and constitutional duties such as appointing the prime minister and granting royal assent to legislation.

The Queen's reign was marked by significant changes in British government, especially in the devolutionary creations of the Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and Northern Ireland Executive in 1999 and the Greater London Authority in 2000. Northern Ireland held a 1973 referendum on whether to pursue joining with the Republic of Ireland to form a United Ireland or remain part of the United Kingdom. It was the first time that a major referendum had been held in any region of the country. The electorate voted to remain British in an overwhelming 98.92% landslide. In 2014, Scotland held a referendum on whether it should seek to secede from the United Kingdom, which was defeated 55.3% to 44.7%.

British Overseas Territories During Elizabeth's reign, three British Overseas Territories voted upon referendums relating to their sovereignty:

Gibraltar held sovereignty referendums in 1967 and 2002. The former asked whether Gibraltarians wished to adopt Spanish sovereignty whilst maintaining British citizenship, or remain under British sovereignty. Gibraltar voted to remain British by an overwhelming 99.64% landslide. The latter asked whether Gibraltar's should be shared by the United Kingdom and Spain. The referendum was also defeated with a landslide 98.97% voting against the measure. Bermuda held a referendum in 1995 on whether it should seek independence from the United Kingdom or maintain its status as a British Dependent Territory. Bermudians rejected the proposal with 74.12% voting against independence. The Falkland Islands held a sovereignty referendum in 2013, asking Falkland Islanders whether they wished to remain an Overseas Territory against the backdrop of Argentina's claim to the islands. With a 92 percent turnout, 99.80% voted to remain a British territory, with only three votes cast in favour of Argentina.

Canada (since 1867)

In Canada, the monarch serves as head of state within a federal system. The sovereign is represented by the Governor General at the national level and by lieutenant governors in the provinces. The monarchy forms a central component of Canada's constitutional structure and legal system.

The province of Quebec formulated proposals to pursue sovereignty by referendum in 1980 and 1995, but both were defeated 59.56% to 40.44% and 50.58% to 49.42% respectively.

Elizabeth first visited Canada as heir presumptive in 1951 on behalf of an ailing George VI. As sovereign, the Queen visited Canada in 1957, 1959, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1970 (thrice), 1971, 1973 (thrice), 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2002, 2005, and 2010.

Australia (since 1901)

Australia shares the same monarch but maintains an independent Crown in right of Australia. Constitutional authority is exercised domestically by the Governor-General, who performs ceremonial functions and retains reserve powers under exceptional circumstances. The Governors of the Australian states further represent the monarch on the state level.

The 1998 Northern Territory referendum advocated for the Northern Territory to become a state, which was narrowly defeated, 51.9% to 48.1%. This came as a surprise to both the Northern Territory government and the federal government. A 1999 referendum to abolish the monarchy in favour of a president appointed by Parliament, and additionally to add a preamble to the Constitution of Australia, was defeated 54.87% to 45.13%.

The Queen visited Australia in 1954, 1963, 1970, 1973, 1977 (twice), 1980, 1981 (twice), 1982, 1986, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2006, and 2011.

New Zealand (since 1907)

In New Zealand, the monarch serves as head of state within an uncodified constitution derived from statutes and conventions. The Governor-General performs constitutional functions locally, including summoning Parliament and granting royal assent.

The Queen visited New Zealand in 1953–1954, 1963, 1970, 1973, 1977, 1981, 1986, 1990, 1995, and 2002.

Extant monarchies created during Elizabeth II's reign Eleven of the British colonies that became independent Commonwealth realms over the course of Elizabeth II's reign retained that status until her death.

Jamaica (since 1962)

Upon independence in 1962, Jamaica retained the monarch as head of state. The Governor-General represents the sovereign domestically, carrying out constitutional duties largely of a ceremonial nature.

The Queen visited the Colony of Jamaica in 1953, and the independent Jamaica in 1966, 1975, 1983, 1994, and 2002.

The Bahamas (since 1973)

The Bahamas became an independent Commonwealth realm in 1973. The monarch remains head of state and is represented locally by a Governor-General performing constitutional and ceremonial duties.

The Queen visited the Crown Colony of the Bahamas in 1966, and the independent Bahamas in 1975, 1977, 1985 (twice), and 1994.

Grenada (since 1974)

Grenada retained the monarchy at independence in 1974. As in other realms, executive authority is exercised by elected officials, with the Governor-General acting on behalf of the sovereign.

The Queen visited colonial Grenada in 1966, and independent Grenada in 1985

Papua New Guinea (since 1975)

Papua New Guinea became a realm in 1975. Its Governor-General is nominated by the national parliament, illustrating the localisation of the Crown within the country's constitutional system.

The Queen visited the Territory of Papua and New Guinea in 1974, and the independent Papua New Guinea in 1977 and 1982.

Solomon Islands (since 1978)

Upon independence in 1978, the Solomon Islands adopted a constitutional monarchy. The Governor-General performs most functions of the head of state within the domestic political framework.

The Queen visited the Solomon Islands Protectorate in 1974, and the independent Solomon Islands in 1982.

Tuvalu (since 1978)

Tuvalu retained the monarchy at independence in 1978. As with other realms, the sovereign's powers are exercised locally by the Governor-General. A 2008 referendum intended to abolish the monarchy and establish an indirectly-elected president was defeated by 64.98% of the vote to 35.02%."Tuvalu votes to maintain monarchy", Radio Australia, 17 June 2008

The Queen visited Tuvalu in 1982.

Saint Lucia (since 1979)

Saint Lucia became a Commonwealth realm in 1979. The monarch serves as ceremonial head of state, represented by a Governor-General within the parliamentary system.

The Queen visited the colonial Saint Lucia in 1966, and the independent Saint Lucia in 1985.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (since 1979)

The country retained the monarchy upon independence in 1979. The Governor-General executes the sovereign's constitutional duties on their behalf. In a 2009 referendum, Vincentians rejected a proposal to replace the monarch with a president, with 56.29% of the vote to 43.71%, maintaining the constitutional status quo.

The Queen visited the colonial Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 1966, and the independent Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 1985.

Belize (since 1981)

Belize became a realm in 1981. The monarch remains head of state, represented by a Governor-General who performs constitutional functions in accordance with ministerial advice.

The Queen visited Belize in 1985 and 1994.Royal visits

Antigua and Barbuda (since 1981)

Since gaining independence in 1981, Antigua and Barbuda has shared the monarch with other Commonwealth realms. The Governor-General exercises most constitutional responsibilities locally.

The Queen visited the Colony of Antigua in 1966, the Associated State of Antigua in 1977, and the independent Antigua and Barbuda in 1985.Royal visits

Saint Kitts and Nevis (since 1983)

Saint Kitts and Nevis became an independent Commonwealth realm on 19 September 1983. The monarch serves as head of state, represented locally by a Governor-General, while executive authority is exercised by the prime minister and parliament. The federal structure of the state provides for the island of Nevis to maintain its own legislature and significant autonomy within the constitutional monarchy. A deputy governor-general acts on the governor-general's behalf in Nevis. Nevis attempted to separate from St. Kitts by referendum in 1977, desiring to become a separate Crown colony. Despite the "For" vote winning 4,193 to 14, the national government declared the result invalid.Nevis (St Kitts and Nevis), 18 August 1977: Separation from St Kitts Direct Democracy Following independence, Nevis again attempted to separate from St. Kitts in 1998, but was defeated as the "For" vote did not reach the required two-thirds threshold.1998 Referendum Political Database of the AmericaElection Profile IFES

The Queen visited the colony Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla in 1966, and the independent Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1985.

Monarchies abolished during Elizabeth II's reign During Elizabeth II's reign, three preexisting Commonwealth realms adopted republican constitutions while often remaining members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Union of South Africa (1910–1961)

South Africa was created in 1910 with the unification of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River colonies. The monarch was locally represented by the Governor-General. Following a whites-only referendum in 1960, the country became a republic on 31 May 1961 and withdrew from the Commonwealth, later rejoining in 1994 after the end of apartheid.

The Queen later visited South Africa in 1995 and 1999.

Dominion of Pakistan (1947–1956)