Cyclops,
And yet there are 53 countries that adhere to the Commonwealth and not all of them were under British rule. Of course that organisation is no longer ruled by us yet it has a great affinity for us and the Queen. And yes there were downsides in the empire and one accepts that as part of having an empire but the upside surely shows when these nations and others want that association with us. Was God involved? Of course He was and still is.