Antigua and Barbuda will vote on whether to become a republic following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the country's prime minister has announced. Gaston Browne said a referendum could take place within three years - but emphasized that the move was "not an act of hostility".
He made the comments after confirming Charles III as King and head of state of the Caribbean nation. Browne said he intended to introduce the referendum if re-elected next year. The prime minister has made no secret of his aspiration to replace the monarchy and become a republic. The islands became independent in 1981, and he considers a republic to be the natural progression. "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.”
The Queen's death has reignited Australia's monarchy debate, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is a republican, struck a conciliatory note. "This is a period in which we are sharing the grief that so many Australians are feeling at the moment, showing our deep respect and admiration for the contribution of the Queen to Australia," Albanese said.
In addition to the UK, King Charles serves as head of state in 14 countries - Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. But many of those countries are reconsidering the role of monarchy.
Last year, Barbados swore in its first president after the Queen was removed as head of state by the country's parliament. Dame Sandra Mason, the island's governor-general since 2018, was named as president-elect of the nation following a vote in parliament. In Jamaica, the ruling Labor Party says its goal is to hold a referendum on becoming a republic.
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