The Commonwealth Secretariat is the central body of the Commonwealth of Nations, which implements the decisions taken by the association's 54 member governments and organises meetings of Commonwealth ministers. It is headed by a Commonwealth Secretary-General chosen by the Heads of Government for terms of five years, currently (since 2000) former New Zealand foreign minister Rt.Hon. Don McKinnon. Flag of the Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of independent sovereign states, most of which are former colonies once governed by the United Kingdom as part of the British Empire. ... The Commonwealth Secretary-General is the head of the Commonwealth Secretariat, the central body which has served the Commonwealth of Nations since its establishment in 1965. ... Her Majestys Most Honourable Privy Council is a body of advisors to the British Sovereign. ... The Right Honourable Donald Charles McKinnon (born February 27, 1939) is a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand. ...

The Secretariat was established by Heads of Government in 1965, taking over many of the functions of the United Kingdom Government's Commonwealth Relations Office. It is located at Marlborough House in London, a former royal palace which was given by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth. 1965 was a common year starting on Friday (link goes to calendar). ... The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations was a British Cabinet office existing between 1947 and 1966, responsible for dealing with British relationship with members of the Commonwealth of Nations (its former colonies). ... Marlborough House, London Marlborough House is a mansion in Westminster, London. ... St. ... Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor), styled HM The Queen ( born 21 April 1926 ) is the Queen regnant and head of state of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint... Queen Elizabeth II is recognised as Head of the Commonwealth in those members of the Commonwealth of Nations which are not Commonwealth realms and where, therefore, she is not head of state. ...