The King and Queen were pictured in the sunshine in Antigua and Barbuda (Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Buckingham Palace/PA)

Palace would respect Antigua and Barbuda’s choice to become a republic, royal aide says

Buckingham Palace would support Antigua and Barbuda’s decision to become a republic if voters choose to replace King Charles III as head of state, according to a senior royal aide quoted by British media.

The comments follow the visit by the King and Queen Camilla for the country’s 45th independence celebrations and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

“The family serves when it’s wanted and if not, then a new arrangement can be found,” the aide said.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has reiterated his personal support for a republic, while maintaining that voters must decide whether Antigua and Barbuda makes the transition.

Removing the monarch as head of state would require constitutional changes approved by Parliament and a referendum securing the required two-thirds majority.

Antigua and Barbuda could become a republic while retaining its Commonwealth membership. Barbados followed that path in 2021, replacing the monarch with a president while remaining in the organisation.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Palace Signals Support for Antigua and Barbuda’s Right to Become a Republic.