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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Prince Charles to be next Commonwealth head | Prince Charles to be next Commonwealth head |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Prince of Wales will be the next head of the Commonwealth, the BBC understands. | The Prince of Wales will be the next head of the Commonwealth, the BBC understands. |
| The Queen had said it was her "sincere wish" that Prince Charles would succeed her in the role "one day". | The Queen had said it was her "sincere wish" that Prince Charles would succeed her in the role "one day". |
| Leaders of the Commonwealth have been discussing the issue at a meeting behind closed doors at Windsor Castle. | Leaders of the Commonwealth have been discussing the issue at a meeting behind closed doors at Windsor Castle. |
| The non-hereditary role would not have automatically passed to Prince Charles, with some suggestions it might rotate among the 53 leaders. | The non-hereditary role would not have automatically passed to Prince Charles, with some suggestions it might rotate among the 53 leaders. |
| The BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Landale said a source had told the BBC that Commonwealth leaders had agreed the appointment. | The BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Landale said a source had told the BBC that Commonwealth leaders had agreed the appointment. |
| Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had earlier given their backing to Prince Charles. | Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had earlier given their backing to Prince Charles. |
| The meeting during a two-day summit involved 46 heads of Commonwealth governments and foreign ministers from the remaining seven countries. | The meeting during a two-day summit involved 46 heads of Commonwealth governments and foreign ministers from the remaining seven countries. |
| The Commonwealth represents about 2.4bn people, but critics say the organisation is so disparate that it struggles to know what it is for, BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said. | The Commonwealth represents about 2.4bn people, but critics say the organisation is so disparate that it struggles to know what it is for, BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said. |
| He also said a statement confirming the appointment is expected at the end of the meeting and the news would be "of great satisfaction" to the Queen. | He also said a statement confirming the appointment is expected at the end of the meeting and the news would be "of great satisfaction" to the Queen. |
| Other issues under discussion at the two-day summit in London have included ocean conservation, cyber security and trade between the countries. | Other issues under discussion at the two-day summit in London have included ocean conservation, cyber security and trade between the countries. |
| The decision over who succeeds the Queen after her death needed to be unanimous. | The decision over who succeeds the Queen after her death needed to be unanimous. |
| Meanwhile, the government has indicated it would welcome Zimbabwe's re-entry to the Commonwealth after Robert Mugabe pulled the country out in 2003. | |
| Rwanda has been chosen to host the next summit in 2020. | |
| What does the head of the Commonwealth do? | What does the head of the Commonwealth do? |
| The role, currently held by the Queen, is largely a symbolic one and carries no maximum fixed term. | The role, currently held by the Queen, is largely a symbolic one and carries no maximum fixed term. |
| It is used to unify the 53 member states and to ensure the core aims of the Commonwealth are fulfilled. These include linking the countries through trade and international co-operation. | It is used to unify the 53 member states and to ensure the core aims of the Commonwealth are fulfilled. These include linking the countries through trade and international co-operation. |
| The head of the Commonwealth usually makes regular visits to the member states to foster these connections personally. | The head of the Commonwealth usually makes regular visits to the member states to foster these connections personally. |
| A decision on all successive heads has to be made by the Commonwealth leaders. | A decision on all successive heads has to be made by the Commonwealth leaders. |
| Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Secretariat, its central organisation, help to plan many Commonwealth activities. | Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Secretariat, its central organisation, help to plan many Commonwealth activities. |
| Sources: The Royal Family, The Commonwealth | Sources: The Royal Family, The Commonwealth |