Antigua and Barbuda has formally dropped its constitutional oath of allegiance to King Charles III, replacing the traditional loyalty pledge with a commitment to the state’s own legal framework and constitution, according to government records. The legislative change was enacted in May following the re-election of Prime Minister Gaston Browne on April 30, arriving just days after Buckingham Palace announced the monarch’s upcoming autumn Caribbean tour.
Constitutional Reform and the New Oath
Newly appointed officials in Antigua and Barbuda no longer swear loyalty to King Charles III and his successors. Instead, according to the legislative changes passed in May, public servants pledge their commitment directly to the state of Antigua and Barbuda, its constitution, and its laws. Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin declared at the time of the law’s passage that the reform was long overdue, stating that the nation would “once and for all finally not be swearing to His Majesty in England, his heirs and successors in England.” Prime Minister Gaston Browne has long harbored ambitions to transition the country into a republic, viewing the constitutional shift as a natural next step for a sovereign nation that gained independence from Britain in 1981.
Did you know?
Antigua and Barbuda gained its independence from Britain in 1981, but retained the British monarch as its head of state until recent legislative reforms began altering local oaths of office.
Royal Tour Announcement and Regional Context
The legislative update coincided with Buckingham Palace’s announcement of an eight-day Caribbean tour for King Charles and Queen Camilla, scheduled from October 27 to November 4. The itinerary includes the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, alongside stops in the Bahamas and Guyana. A government official in the capital of St John’s offered a pointed assessment of the constitutional setup to The Telegraph, asking, “You cannot be independent nor call yourself independent if you have a head of state so far away in a foreign land. He lives in a palace in London. We don’t even have a palace here on our island. How can that be right?” The nation is reportedly planning to establish its own head of state, although the matter has not yet been put before voters.
Comparisons Across the Commonwealth Realm
The constitutional changes in Antigua and Barbuda mirror similar shifts across the Caribbean. Grenada formally dropped its oath to the King on August 1—Emancipation Day—marking the abolition of slavery across the British Empire. In 2021, the King delivered a speech of enduring friendship as Barbados became a republic, formally acknowledging “the appalling atrocity of slavery.” Meanwhile, other realms maintain different stances; a foreign office spokesman stated regarding the Bahamas stop that “There are no immediate plans to do so” and that “The Bahamas is happy to remain a part of the British realm and Commonwealth.” Buckingham Palace has maintained that such constitutional matters are entirely for each realm and its people to determine freely, framing the upcoming tour as a way to celebrate communities, cultures, and nature within the Commonwealth family.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Antigua and Barbuda change its oath of allegiance?
The legislative change was enacted in May, following the re-election of Prime Minister Gaston Browne on April 30.
Who is the current Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda?
Gaston Browne serves as the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
What did the new oath replace?
Newly appointed officials now pledge their commitment to the state of Antigua and Barbuda, its legal framework, and its constitution, rather than swearing loyalty to King Charles III and his successors.
When is King Charles scheduled to visit Antigua and Barbuda?
Buckingham Palace scheduled the royal tour in the Caribbean from October 27 to November 4, which includes attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
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