The "Empire" as some elaboration as the reason that our sports are played in Australia? Wildly popular. We fucking love Australia.

"The Empire" as in, our colonial past? Widely criticised, very few vocal proponents, fewer still educated proponents. Not because it's impossible to be educated and a proponent, but because it's impossible to be a proponent and stay employed. Even most of those that do think fondly of it see it just as the time when Britain was America and America was cowboys- when the Royal Navy was powerful and everyone did what Britain said, rather than someone else.

The Commonwealth? Basically un-discussed. No-one cares about the events, couldn't pick out the flag, wouldn't be able to name an initiative. Again, seen almost exclusively in terms of how it connects us to the Aussies and the Kiwis.

I would go so far as to say modern Britain more closely resembles a country that forgot it ever had an Empire, rather than one obsessed with Empire.

I think if you came to Britain and asked around, you'd be shocked how many Brits have no idea that the Queen is still on the notes in Canada, Aus and NZ, if you catch my drift?

Needless to say, that's all my perspective. I turned twenty this year, so I remember the day I learned that the Queen was still the Head of State of so many other countries, and when I learned all the things I know about the Empire. I remember what my teachers and classmates and friends told me. I remember what my father, who grew up in Colonial Africa (don't worry- just the Gold Coast) told me.

Maybe I'm projecting (or sheltered- I'm from something of a backwater) but this is popular opinion as it was when I first started paying attention.