The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship (1901–present) is a voluntary charitable organisation which connects people from Commonwealth countries. There are currently branches in the UK, Australia and New Zealand with affiliated organisations in Canada and the USA. The Victoria League in the UK had about 500 members in Britain in 2000 and their patron is Queen Elizabeth II. It is one of more than 80 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that promote cooperation and peace within the Commonwealth of Nations. Overseas branches are autonomous, operating within their own countries regulations; however they all share the same history of birth.