King Charles Meets With Representatives From Commonwealth Realms—But Will They Keep Him as King?
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below."
When Queen Elizabeth II died, it was not only the role of head of state in the United Kingdom that passed to her son. The new King Charles III also immediately became head of state in 14 countries outside of the UK, known as Commonwealth Realms. And he also took on the job of head of the Commonwealth—not a hereditary position but a role that it had been agreed in 2018 would become his.
King Charles was joined by his wife Camilla for meetings today at Buckingham Palace reflecting his new global roles. He met with Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland (above), in the 1844 room and with High Commissioners from Commonwealth Realms in the Bow Room. The meetings, which took place on his fourth day as King, come as the question over whether realms will retain him as their head of state are now being asked.
The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Sky News today that he would not hold a referendum on the monarchy during his first term out of respect for the Queen. The country last put the question to a vote in 1999 when a narrow majority voted to keep the British monarch as head of state. Reports have stated, however, that Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, said he intends to hold a referendum within three years. And in recent months, the conversation over if—or when—Commonwealth Realms will get rid of the monarchy has already come to the fore.
In November 2021, then Prince Charles represented the Queen in Barbados as the country became a republic and appointed a President: the first country to get rid of the Queen as head of state in almost 30 years. When Prince William and Kate undertook their Caribbean tour in March, Jamaica’s Prime Minister effectively gave them notice that his country would do the same, saying Jamaica was “moving on.” Another one of their destinations, Belize, signalled its intention to review the situation not long after the visit. The Earl and Countess of Wessex had been due to tour Grenada, another Commonwealth Realm, in April but at the 11th hour the destination was pulled from their itinerary.
There were, of course, no signs of tensions in the images that were released of the King’s meetings today, showing him and the Queen Consort wearing mourning clothes and animatedly chatting with the High Commissioners. But King Charles could not fail to be aware of the ongoing conversations that are being had about the monarchy's future.
His position as head of the Commonwealth of 56 independent nations—most but not all of them with links to the British Empire—has also raised some eyebrows. When the last Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting meeting took place in June, Reuters reported that "some Caribbean member states were not at ease with the decision" made in 2018 for Charles to succeed his mother.
You Might Also Like
