CHOGM 2018: A Right Royal Affair

The 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was eventful and significant for the Commonwealth and for the host country, the UK. It witnessed an unprecedented rolling out of royalty and royal residences and secured the succession of Prince Charles as the next head of the Commonwealth. It provided the UK with an opportunity to consolidate a traditional old constituency at a time when Brexit is looming large and creating serious uncertainty. A number of significant decisions were taken across the policy agenda and a High Level Review Group on the governance of the Commonwealth Secretariat, set up at the previous CHOGM but unable to complete its work in time, was re-energised and given an expanded mandate. This article notes that the reforms will be important, but questions whether they will be enough to keep the Commonwealth relevant and effective in the face of new global challenges.