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Countries can ditch monarchy and become republics ‘calmly and without rancour’ says Prince of Wales

24 Jun 2022 2 minute read
Prince Charles. Picture by Kirsty Wigglesworth / PA Wire

Countries should be able to ditch the monarchy and become republics “calmly and without rancour” should they choose to do so, the Prince of Wales is expected to say today.

Charles’ comments are due to be delivered during the opening ceremony of a summit of Commonwealth prime ministers and presidents in Rwanda- the Queen at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm).

He expected to say that the decision as to whether keeping the the Queen, or himself after she dies, as head of state or become a republic are “a matter for each member country to decide”.

A number of Caribbean nations have already suggested they may ditch the British monarchy and elect their own heads of state.

Barbados took the historic move of replacing the Queen as head of state in November last year and elected its first president during a ceremony witnessed by the prince.

In his address at the opening ceremony, Charles is expected to say: “The Commonwealth contains within it, countries that have had constitutional relationships with my family, some that continue to do so, and increasingly those that have had none.

“I want to say clearly, as I have said before, that each member’s Constitutional arrangement, as republic or monarchy, is purely a matter for each member country to decide.

“The benefit of long life brings me the experience that arrangements such as these can change, calmly and without rancour.”

‘Independence’

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridges’ March visit to the Caribbean appeared to raise the issue of other realms – nations where the Queen is head of state – breaking away from the British monarchy.

Jamaica’s prime minister Andrew Holness, who has travelled to Rwanda for Chogm, suggested to the couple his country may be the next to become a republic.

While a few days after the Cambridges left Belize, Henry Charles Usher, minister for constitutional and political reform, reportedly told Belize’s parliament: “Perhaps it is time for Belize to take the next step in truly owning our independence.

“But it is a matter that the people of Belize must decide on.”


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Not My Real Name
Not My Real Name
2 years ago

Good to hear. I am against the concept of Royalty but hold no ire against those born into it. Retiring the institution “with the thanks of a grateful nation” is likely to win more support than “kick the parasites out” but has the same impact.
I have not been a fan of Charles over the years, but wholeheartedly support the sentiment he expresses here.

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago

Jolly decent of you,old boy. Perhaps you’ll be so kind as to drop the Prince of Wales title and kick start the processes of separation. Thanks in anticipation. Have a nice day.

Barry Pandy
Barry Pandy
2 years ago

To be fair to him I don’t think it is Charles who would cause the rancour but the Conservative party.

There is after all a big rancour in the Conservative.

Geoffrey ap.
Geoffrey ap.
2 years ago

I do recall his mother getting involved in political opinions when she clearly came out against Scotland gaining interdependence. Perhaps it’s more about distant countries.

Leigh Richards
Leigh Richards
2 years ago

Look forward to an independent Wales being one of those countries that ditches the british monarchy and becomes a republic!

Peter Cuthbert
Peter Cuthbert
2 years ago
Reply to  Leigh Richards

Agreed. Perhaps we need to press YC to include that in their demainds. Independent and a Republic! Does anybody know if some academic constitutional experts in Wales have got together and begun writing us a constitution? To have and publish that would be quite a coup as it would provide a good benchmark against which the inadequacies of the current unwritten constitution could be compared. We need something like that to help make the case that the current system is a failure. Prof Wilson’s book “The Myth of British Monarchy” does it for royalty, and Mark Thomas’s book “Mass Improverishment… Read more »

Richard
Richard
2 years ago

‘ Counties can ditch the monarchy and it’s up to them ‘ …..

Wise words for us to ponder 🤔 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

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