As part of the Commonwealth diaspora, I'm offended that Prince Charles will be the former colonies' head of state

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Speaking at the formal opening of the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting at Buckingham Palace yesterday, the Queen shared her “hopes” that Prince Charles would succeed her as head of the Commonwealth – a role she’s filled since 1952. In a speech to the 53 leaders of each Commonwealth nation, she said: "It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations – and will decide that one day the Prince of Wales will carry on the important work started by my father in 1949.” The leaders met today to discuss who will succeed her after death and it was announced that Prince Charles would take over. A rich white man automatically assuming a leadership role isn’t particularly novel but since unlike many royal roles the position wasn’t actually hereditary, this was nothing but pure blatant nepotism. Considering the number of options available for head of state, including individuals far more representative and diverse from any of the Commonwealth countries, it was at the very least tone deaf and at at worst downright offensive for the Royal Family to suggest Britain still has such a level of control over its former colonies.