Will King Charles continue to rule over many realms?

The new monarch is firmly ensconced as head of the Commonwealth, but independent nations might have other ideas, writes Sean O’Grady

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla arriving in Edinburgh on Monday for an afternoon of ceremonies giving thanks for the life of Queen Elizabeth II (AFP/Getty)

It almost seems like poor taste. No sooner had the men in tights and tabards proclaimed Charles III the rightful king of his overseas realms and territories than the prime minister of one of the smaller ones, Antigua and Barbuda, suggested that the independent nation would hold a vote on whether to become a republic following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Gaston Browne said a referendum could take place within three years, but – to sighs of relief at the palace – he emphasised that the move was “not an act of hostility”, and that it wasn’t a big issue in the Caribbean state. “I think most people haven’t even bothered to think about it,” he said. No doubt that is true of the 83,000 inhabitants of those beautiful islands; but the new King and his entourage have probably fretted about it all the same.

There was better news from other parts. Jacinda Ardern, prime minister of New Zealand and possibly the most progressive leader on the planet, dismissed the idea of a similar move “any time soon”, though she thinks her country will cut the link in her lifetime. The lack of urgency was echoed by the newish prime minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, who has ruled out a referendum in his first term. “The bigger questions about our constitution are not ones for this current period,” he said.