With the Royal Family’s official period of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II now over, King Charles III faces the task of preserving the 1,200-year-old monarchy.

Throughout her 70 years on the throne, Her Majesty charted a careful course in her handling of the 56 countries of the Commonwealth.

Her role was rarely debated, mainly due to the deep affection held for the Queen.

But now she is gone, King Charles faces an immense challenge as an increasing number of nations question whether their Commonwealth ties are still relevant.

As well as the UK, the King is head of state for 14 realms: Belize; Tuvalu; Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Canada; Grenada; Jamaica; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; and the Solomon Islands.

The remaining countries are independent of the monarchy, but are still within the Commonwealth.

The Queen pictured on a Commonwealth visit to Tuvalu in the South Pacific (
Image:
Tim Graham/Getty Images)

The 1949 London Declaration allowed republics and other countries to join the Commonwealth of Nations.

But now many people in the 14 realms wish to follow Barbados, which became a republic in November, replacing the monarch with a president. Such thoughts were strengthened by the controversy surrounding tours around Caribbean countries by the new Prince and Princess of Wales and the Earl and Countess of Wessex this year.

King Charles met Jamaica's PM Andrew Holness earlier this month (
Image:
Getty Images)

William and Kate’s trip to Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas in March was criticised for “tone deaf” images reminiscent of colonial days.

The controversial photos showed the couple, then the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, shaking hands with crowds in Kingston, Jamaica, from behind a mesh wire fence, and riding in the back of a Land Rover.

The couple also met with calls for Britain to pay reparations for the slave trade.

William and Kate's trip to Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas in March was criticised for “tone deaf” images reminiscent of colonial days (
Image:
Getty Images)

And in Belize, they had to call off a visit to a village after protests by locals, who said they had not been consulted about the engagement.

In April, Edward and Sophie also faced calls for reparations for slavery during their tour of Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Here, we look at what some Commonwealth realms say about links to the monarchy:

ANTIGUA

After the Queen died, the Prime Minister said he would call for a referendum on the country becoming a republic within three years.

It comes despite Gaston Browne signing a document ratifying Charles as King.

He said of his planned referendum: “This is not an act of hostility or any difference between Antigua and Barbuda and the monarchy, but it is the final step to complete that circle of independence.”

BAHAMAS

A spokesman for the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, said a republic referendum “is not an agenda item of this administration at this time”.

In a statement, Clint Watson, press secretary at the office of the PM, added: “Our focus is on the death of the Queen and her legacy and our gratitude for her service. We also welcome the new sovereign, King Charles III.

“Any discussion must lead to a referendum of the people deciding as our constitution requires.”

In March, Prince William signalled that any decision to break away would be supported with “pride and respect” by the UK.

BELIZE

A few days after William and Kate left Belize following their Caribbean royal tour in March, Henry Charles Usher, the minister for constitutional and political reform, reportedly told its 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.”

GRENADA

Tahira Carter, press secretary in the Prime Minister’s office, said: “The government of Grenada has no immediate plans to change its constitutional status.

“The move to become a republic is a natural progression that the country may pursue in the future, however.”

In June, Arley Gill, chairman of Grenada’s National Reparations Committee, said Charles becoming King could lead to a backlash.

He said: “I don’t think the Grenadian people are too enthused about Prince Charles. I don’t think the Prince will get a huge welcome when he ascends to the throne. I don’t think we are of that ilk.”

AUSTRALIA

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said now is not a time to discuss the country becoming a republic following the Queen’s death. Still, he has not ruled out a future referendum on the issue.

Mr Albanese, a republican, appeared to be paving the way for an Australian vote after ,he was elected in May, creating an assistant minister for the republic in June.

But the PM has said a republic referendum is not a priority for his first three-year term.

“Now is not a time to talk about our system of government,” he said on Sunday. “Now is the time for us to pay tribute to the life of Queen Elizabeth, a life of dedication and loyalty including to the Australian people.”

CANADA

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made comments that suggest he wants the huge North American country to continue as a constitutional monarchy for the foreseeable future at least.

In a telling Twitter post, Mr Trudeau said: “While we continue to mourn the loss of Canada’s longest-reigning sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we also look to the future with the proclamation of the accession of His Majesty King Charles III as Sovereign of Canada.”

JAMAICA

During William and Kate’s Caribbean tour in March, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness suggested to them that his country may follow Barbados in becoming a republic.

Mr Holness told the now Prince and Princess of Wales his country was “moving on” and intended to “fulfil our true
ambitions and destiny as an independent, developed, prosperous country”.

A recent front page of The Gleaner, a Jamaican newspaper, carried a story headlined “Queen’s death end of an era”, adding: “Scholar believes [her] passing will make break with the monarchy easier.”

Jamaica’s government has already begun the process of transitioning to a republic, with an official appointed to oversee the work.

NEW ZEALAND

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said her government will not pursue becoming a republic following the death of the Queen.

But she has speculated that the constitutional change was likely to happen within her lifetime.

Ms Ardern said: “There has been a debate, probably for a number of years.

“It’s just the pace and how widely that debate is occurring.

“I’ve made my view plain many times. I do believe that is where New Zealand will head in time. I believe it is likely to occur in my lifetime.”

She added: “But I don’t see it as a short-term measure or anything that is on the agenda any time soon.”

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

This is one of the realms which has already proclaimed the new King Charles III as its new head of state.

At a ceremony also honouring the late Queen, Prime Minister James Marape said: “In reflection of the life she lived, the exemplary performance of duties as the head of the state of Papua New Guinea, it is in this connection that we all gather here this morning to acknowledge her passing and to acknowledge and witness the ascension of King Charles III.”

TUVALU

Tuvalu is comprised of nine small coral islands in the South Pacific.

Savali Amasone Fatoga, deputy secretary, office of the Prime Minister in Tuvalu, said: “At this stage, I cannot share much with you as we still have the Queen’s representative in Tuvalu, the governor general.

“We may still continue with King Charles III as head of state, and for a referendum to take place, that will be the government of the day’s call.”

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