According to the will of the head of government, the Caribbean island state of Antigua and Barbuda must become a republic. Queen Elizabeth II was the head of state of the former British colony until her death. King Charles III was confirmed as the new head of state on Saturday at a ceremony in the capital St. John’s. But shortly after, Prime Minister Gaston Browne told British broadcaster ITV that he wanted to hold a referendum within three years.
“This has nothing to do with disrespect for the monarch,” Browne said. “It is the final step to complete the circle of independence and become a truly sovereign nation.”
Charles is the head of state in 14 states
Antigua and Barbuda has almost 100,000 inhabitants. The island nation became independent in 1981. It is one of 14 states where the British monarch is the head of state. Last year, the island nation of Barbados, further south in the Caribbean, became a republic. Sandra Mason, who had previously served as Governor General and thus the Queen’s representative, became president.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
