![\"Island](\"https:\/\/c.ndtvimg.com\/2022-09\/th5murn4_antigua-and-barbuda_625x300_11_September_22.jpg\"\/ "\\"Island")
<\/div>\nThe tiny Caribbean island nation became independent from Britain in 1981. (Representational)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Mexico City: <\/b><\/p>\n
Antigua and Barbuda plans to hold a referendum on becoming a republic within the next three years, the Caribbean nation’s prime minister told British media Saturday, a move that could see King Charles III removed as its head of state.<\/p>\n
“This is a matter that has to be taken to a referendum…within the next, probably, three years,” Prime Minister Gaston Browne told ITV News shortly after a local ceremony confirmed Charles III as the country’s King following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.<\/p>\n
The tiny Caribbean island nation, which became independent from Britain in 1981, is one of 14 Commonwealth members who share the UK monarch as their head of state.<\/p>\n
Brown said becoming a republic was “a final step to complete the circle of independence to ensure we are truly a sovereign nation,” but stressed a referendum was “not an act of hostility” and would not involve retiring Commonwealth membership.<\/p>\n
Antigua’s prime minister did not immediately reply to a request for comment, and Reuters was not able to independently verify the proposal.<\/p>\n
The nation has a population of less than 100,000, according to official data.<\/p>\n
PM Browne’s pledge comes amid a growing republican push across the Caribbean region, with Barbados voting to remove the UK monarchy last year, and the ruling party in Jamaica having signaled it may follow.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, Browne – who is up for re-election next year – said he was not responding to a widespread push from Antiguans to hold a vote.<\/p>\n
“I think most people haven’t even bothered to think about it,” he told ITV.<\/p>\n
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n