In addition to the United Kingdom, Charles III will officially become the monarch of fourteen countries. However, the number of nations that recognize him as head of state may soon be reduced.
As of May 6, Elizabeth II's son will officially become king of many of the countries that make up the British Commonwealth of Nations, better known as the Commonwealth, but the coronation could resurface calls to abandon the monarchy.
This week, several organizations from twelve countries signed a missive calling on the new king "to acknowledge the horrific impacts on and legacy of genocide and colonisation of the indigenous and enslaved peoples" and for Britain to initiate "discussions about reparations" and repatriate "all the remains of our collective peoples."
The letter was signed by citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
According to Matthew Smith, director of the Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery at University College, London, the relations that Queen Elizabeth II had achieved have changed now that Charles III is king. Although many countries seem to be willing to change, it is the Caribbean nations that are pushing the hardest.
🗣 Indigenous leaders from 12 Commonwealth countries have demanded that King Charles apologise for what they describe as centuries of “genocide and colonisation” https://t.co/aiWXvqQsuF
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 4, 2023
This would not be the first time a similar phenomenon has occurred. When Elizabeth II assumed the throne, thirteen nations abandoned the British crown and became republics.
Countries called to pledge allegiance
Unlike other coronations, for this May 6, there will no longer be the "homage of the peers" in which a list of representatives of the nobility kneel before the king and swear their allegiance. However, the office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will call on people in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and other kingdoms to pay homage and pledge allegiance to the new monarch.
