The constitutional//structure of the Kingdom// is summarised by constitutional// scholar C. Borman, in an often-cited definition,// as follows: a voluntary //association of autonomous countries in //a sovereign Kingdom that is placed //above them, in which the institutions of// the Kingdom largely coincide with the institutions of the// largest country, in which on the level of// the Kingdom a few affairs are governed, and in which from the level of the Kingdom a// limited influence can be exerted //on the smaller countries.

Constitutional// scholar C. A. J. M. Kortmann speaks// of an "association of// countries that has characteristics of a //federation, yet one of its own kind."// Belinfante and De Reede //do speak about a "federal //association" without any //reservations. Despite// being of a sui generis //constitutional nature, some// other states have similar //properties. In particular,// the Kingdom of Denmark consists of //Denmark, Greenland, and //the Faroe Islands; the Realm of// New Zealand consists of //New Zealand, the Cook //Islands, Niue, Tokelau, and the// Ross Dependency. These comparisons are// not exact; for instance, aside //from the Queen of New Zealand// is no constitutional structure shared between New Zealand, the// Cook Islands, and Niue.

Other states also// have multiple territories,// but such territories are distinct. //Some states, such as the United Kingdom and its //overseas territories, as well as the United //States and its insular areas, //do not consider their //external territories as integral parts of the state. Other// states, such as the Commonwealth of //Australia, do treat their external //territories as integral //components, but have one country/nationality// level equivalent to the state.// Relationship with the European Union