All articles tagged with #commonwealth
The BBC reportedly won’t televise this year’s Commonwealth Day service, with only a small royal turnout, a move experts attribute to Ex-Prince Andrew’s scandals and ongoing royal tensions, signaling potential shifts within the royal establishment.
Britain is weighing a legal move to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession, a plan that would need Parliament approval and the consent of about a dozen Commonwealth realms; he remains eighth in line despite losing his prince title, and any change would be lengthy amid ongoing investigations and cross‑country discussions.
New Zealand would back the UK government’s move to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession if pursued, following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former prince, who relinquished his titles last year in light of Epstein-related revelations, remains eighth in line and a counsellor of state; any removal would require UK parliamentary action and the support of Commonwealth realms. Australia has already expressed support, while Buckingham Palace says it won’t block lawful action.
Australia’s prime minister says Canberra would back any proposal to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession, a move that would require a Parliament-approved act and royal assent from King Charles III, with support needed from Commonwealth realms. The push comes amid Andrew’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office and his previous loss of royal titles tied to Jeffrey Epstein, with UK discussions ongoing and questions about how and when such legislation could be enacted by Commonwealth nations.
The article explains that removing Prince Andrew from the UK and Commonwealth line of succession is legally possible but would require a coordinated, multi-parliament process across realms. It traces how changes to succession have happened before (UK’s 2013 reform and post‑1920 dominion adjustments) and outlines how Australia and other realms would need to pass matching legislation to maintain a unified throne. Unilateral action by a single realm is unlikely given constitutional constraints and the need for cross‑realm agreement to avoid fracturing the shared monarchies.
Britain is reportedly weighing stripping Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession after his arrest tied to Epstein‑related documents; the move would require Parliament legislation and consent from 14 Commonwealth realms. Andrew, the eighth in line to the throne and a former royal, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office but released under investigation, and could face life in prison if convicted. King Charles pledged to support the police investigation as the monarchy faces a constitutional crisis.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that reparations for slavery are not about financial compensation but rather about fostering relationships with African nations through skill and science sharing. This follows a call from Commonwealth leaders for discussions on reparations. Lammy emphasized the importance of non-financial reparatory justice and highlighted the UK's historical role in both the slave trade and its abolition. He also addressed the need for a new approach to Africa and expressed concern over the conflict in Sudan.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will visit Australia and Samoa in October as part of an autumn tour, marking Charles' first trip to a Commonwealth realm since becoming monarch. The visit includes attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. The tour will be limited to these two countries due to health advice, and further details will be announced later.
Royal expert Tom Bower claims that King Charles does not appear to enjoy his role as monarch, stating that he is not a natural diplomat or politician. Bower suggests that the King's lack of interest may stem from his dislike of traveling long distances and his previous neglect of the Commonwealth. During his state visit to Kenya, there is speculation as to whether King Charles will formally apologize for colonization. Despite this, the King and Queen Camilla have met with Kenyan war veterans and expressed their pleasure in being in Kenya.
King Charles is reportedly hosting a summit at Balmoral Castle in the coming weeks to map out the future of the royal family, with a focus on the role of the Commonwealth. He plans to assign specific roles to Prince William, Princess Kate, and Queen Camilla. The summit will also discuss the family's goals for the next year, including foreign travel and engagements. There is particular pressure on William and Kate, as their "star quality" is seen as essential to holding the Commonwealth together.
King Charles III was crowned as the new monarch of the United Kingdom in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey. He also became the head of state of 14 other countries, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries from around the world, and India was represented by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The coronation of King Charles III is drawing apathy and criticism in many former British colonies, where it is seen as a reminder of oppression and colonialism's bloody past. Calls for severing ties with the monarchy are growing, particularly in the Caribbean, where Barbados recently removed the British monarch as its head of state. Campaigners from 12 Commonwealth countries have written to the monarch urging him to apologise for the legacies of British colonialism. However, experts say the Commonwealth still holds appeal, especially for poorer nations.
King Charles and Prince William greeted well-wishers during a walkabout outside Buckingham Palace ahead of Saturday's Coronation. King Charles had earlier met with leaders of Commonwealth countries and hosted a special lunch at Buckingham Palace. The Coronation will begin at 11:00 BST in Westminster Abbey and will be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury. At 13:00, the King and Queen will leave Westminster Abbey in a ceremonial procession through London back to Buckingham Palace, joined by other members of the Royal Family.
As King Charles III's coronation approaches, a recent poll shows that almost half of the 15 Commonwealth countries that have Charles as their head of state support the idea of becoming republic nations. While England seems to be firmly supporting the status quo, six nations voted in favor of ditching the monarchy. The main Republic group in the UK plans to protest on Trafalgar Square and along the route of the procession on Saturday. Australia's Prime Minister has made it known that he is in favor of the country becoming a republic and has not ruled out holding a referendum on the matter in the future.
As King Charles III prepares for his coronation, fewer countries share him as head of state than during Queen Elizabeth II's ceremony in 1953. Several Commonwealth realms are reconsidering their relationships with the crown, with Barbados being the latest to become a republic. Despite this, the Commonwealth of Nations, a group of 56 countries with historic ties to Britain, which the king symbolically heads, continues to expand its membership.