Viceregalism: The Crown as Head of State in Political Crises in the Postwar Commonwealth. By H. Kumarasingham (ed.).

The article focuses on a scholarly volume examining the political functions and constitutional ambiguities of the Crown in the post-war Commonwealth. It highlights how the Crown and its representatives, such as Governors-General, often operate within unclear constitutional conventions, leading to significant political influence and occasional controversies across various Commonwealth realms, including the UK, Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. The book’s diverse case studies reveal the Crown’s role as both a ceremonial and active political actor, shaped by local historical and political contexts. It also discusses the adaptability of constitutional monarchies and the potential future implications following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022.