During a recent visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Antigua as part of their Caribbean tour, Prime Minister Gaston Browne used the occasion to voice his long-standing republican aspirations. While attending a church service alongside the royal couple, Browne publicly expressed his personal preference for Antigua and Barbuda to transition into a republic, removing King Charles as head of state.
Browne acknowledged the constitutional challenges ahead, noting that the decision ultimately rests with the people. He emphasized that more than two-thirds of Antiguans would need to support the change to replace the British monarch.
Cheers for King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, as he arrives for the Antigua and Barbuda annual Independence Ceremonial Parade at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, marking 45 years of the country’s independence - and then the heavens opened! https://t.co/ts5hXkGoGU
Beyond constitutional matters, Browne demanded that the United Kingdom address the legacy of slavery, arguing that reparations are necessary to prevent the recurrence of past atrocities. He suggested that reparations should be funded through the UK’s foreign development budget, emphasizing that without compensation, historical injustices could resurface.
UK Labour leader Andy Burnham has signaled willingness to discuss an apology for Britain’s role in the slave trade but has ruled out taxpayer-funded reparations.
UK Labour leader Andy Burnham has signaled willingness to discuss an apology for Britain’s role in the slave trade but has ruled out taxpayer-funded reparations. Browne criticized the UK government’s stance on reparations, framing it as a failure to address historical injustices.
Browne’s advocacy has brought the issue of constitutional reform and historical justice into sharper focus, leaving the future of Antigua’s relationship with the monarchy unresolved.