A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
THE Crown is so essential a symbol of the unity of the Commonwealth that, as the Commonwealth evolves, some modification in the style and title of the reigning sovereign is called for. It was a fortunate accident that brought Commonwealth Ministers together in London for quite another purpose in good time for them to reach agreement on this important question; and still more fortunate that they succeeded in reaching it so easily. In all such matters as these Canada. Australia and New Zealand can be counted on to take a common line, very close to that taken by the United Kingdom. So it has been here. Queen Elizabeth is to be known at home as Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britaig, and Northern Ireland and of her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.
The three States already mentioned make little more than the necessary substitutions. For them the formula is Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada [or Australia or New Zealand] and her other realms and territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.
South Africa and Ceylon for some reason omit the references to the United Kingdom, and to Defence of the Faith; Pakistan says nothing about " Queen of Pakistan " or the Defence of the Faith; India, being a republic, says nothing at all. But it is worth remembering that the title "Bead of the Common- wealth," now so universally approved, was devised by India to meet her own case. Eire's protest against the inclusion of the words " and Northern Ireland " is absurd.
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