Charles: Ditch the monarchy if you like
The prince tells Commonwealth nations future is in THEIR hands
THE Prince of Wales yesterday openly backed former British colonies who want to cut ties with the monarchy in a major speech.
He made the comments in an address to leaders of Commonwealth nations in Rwanda, many of whom are from countries that have signalled their desire to become republics.
Charles said: ‘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 heir to the throne also used his opening speech at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in the capital Kigali to make some of his strongest remarks to date on slavery, expressing his profound ‘personal sorrow at the suffering of so many’.
The Queen is still head of state in
‘Matter for each country to decide’
15 realms around the world. Other than the UK, they are: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Of the 32 countries she has reigned over as sovereign during her 70 years on the throne, 17 have removed her – the latest was Barbados last year. More nations, including Jamaica, have signalled their intent to soon follow in their footsteps. Other countries, including Australia, have thriving republican movements.
Many involved in the debate believe once the Queen dies there will be a flood of countries seeking to cut formal ties with the UK. Sources say both Buckingham Palace and Clarence House recognise that and are working not to prevent them seeking independence, but to ensure they do it in a spirit of friendship and remain part of the Commonwealth ‘family of nations’.
Charles was named the Queen’s successor as head of the Commonwealth in 2018, and both mother and son have previously publicly expressed their support for countries wishing to become republics.
But for the prince to make the point using the major platform of the CHOGM – at which senior representatives of all 54 member countries are present – is seen as a significant public acknowledgement of the change in pace.
It comes against a backdrop of renewed debate about the issue in the wake of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s recent tour of the Caribbean, which was criticised for appearing ‘too colonial’ in parts.
Charles said: ‘Throughout her reign, the Queen has placed – and continues to place – the greatest importance on the common friendship, humanity and values that all of us share in this room, not despite but because of the diversity the Commonwealth represents. I treasure the friendships we have built over these past 70 years, and look forward to their deepening in the years ahead.
‘Our Commonwealth family is – and will always remain – a free association of independent, selfgoverning nations. We meet and talk as equals, sharing our knowledge and experience for the betterment of all citizens of the Commonwealth and the wider world.’
Referring to his decision to accept an invitation to attend Barbados’s independence ceremony in November last year, he added: ‘The benefit of long life brings me the that arrangements such as these can change, calmly and without rancour.
‘But, as I said in Barbados ... we should never forget the things which do not change: the close and trusted partnership between Commonwealth members; our common values and shared goals; and, perhaps most importantly, the strong and enduring connections between the peoples of the Commonwealth which strengthen us all.’
Charles also used his speech to tackle the issue of historical slavery, which continues to spark heated debate in former colonies, particularly over the issue of reparations. And while he stopped short of a full apology, it went further than any previous reference to the issue he has made.
The prince, who last night attended the CHOGM dinner at the Marriott Hotel with Camilla, as well as Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie, said: ‘We must also acknowledge the wrongs which have shaped our past. Many of those wrongs belong to an earlier age with different – in some ways lesser – values.
‘ While we strive together for peace, prosperity and democracy, I want to acknowledge that the roots of our contemporary association run deep into the most painful period of our history.
‘I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many, as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slavery’s enduring impact.’
A senior royal aide said of his remarks: ‘It is recognition that he is listening and learning in order to determine future action.’
‘Must acknowledge wrongs of the past’