Moments after Charles III was confirmed as King of Antigua and Barbuda, the Caribbean country’s prime minister told ITV News he plans to hold a referendum to become a republic within three years.
At an Accession ceremony at Government House in the capital St John’s, local officials signed the proclamation confirming the status of their new King.
But Prime Minister Gaston Brown has made no secret of his ambition to replace the monarchy and become a republic.
His Antigua and Barbuda Labor Party returned to power in 2014 with Brown in his eighth year as prime minister.
The islands became independent in 1981 and he sees democracy as the natural evolution.
He told ITV News: “This is a matter that needs to be put to a referendum for the people to decide.
“It does not represent any form of disrespect to the monarch. This is not an act of hostility, or any difference between Antigua and Barbuda and the monarchy.
“It is a final step to complete the circle of independence to become a truly sovereign nation.”
King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, addresses Antigua’s Government House in 2017 Credit: PA
Queen Elizabeth visited Antigua three times during her reign, most recently in 1985. Prince Charles, as he was then, followed in her footsteps five years ago when he saw recovery efforts after two devastating hurricanes.
Mr Browne is expected to stand for re-election next year and, if he does, will introduce the referendum in his next term.
He said it wasn’t a burning issue in the country, and when the recordings were made, there were no “significant emotional reactions. I think most people haven’t even bothered to think about it.”
“This is not an act of hostility or any difference between Antigua and Barbuda and the monarchy, but it is the final step…to ensure that we are truly a sovereign nation”
The Caribbean islands are one of 14 independent kingdoms that have continued to have the British monarch as their head of state. Barbados voted to become a republic last year.
For most Antiguans their tangible connection to a distant head of state comes when they handle the banknotes bearing her portrait.
The Eastern Caribbean dollar is used by many counties in the region. Prime Minister Brown says he still expects new banknotes to be designed with King Charles III in due course, regardless of any constitutional changes.
The Queen’s remarkable life was recalled in our latest episode of What You Need To Know
