Commonwealth Realms Where King Charles III Will Reign

With King Charles III ascending to the throne, many are interested in the nations where he will be the head of state. Although colonialism has ended, the British monarchy retains ceremonial roles in multiple countries across the globe, signifying the historical ties between Britain and its former colonies. This article will explore the countries where King Charles III will serve as head of state and the importance it holds for their respective populations.

Below is a list of the present Commonwealth realms and their current ties to the British Crown

Antigua and Barbuda

The British colonized Antigua and Barbuda in the 17th century as a hub for slavery. However, after successful autonomy talks, the islands achieved independence in 1981. Despite retaining the British monarch as their head of state, Antigua became self-governing in 1967, and the two islands joined the United Nations and the Commonwealth shortly after gaining independence.

Australia, New Zealand & Papua New Guinea

British settlers arrived in Australia in 1788, colonizing the land and waging wars against the indigenous Maori population. Australia was eventually split into six colonies with over 80% of the population being white. In 1901, Australia became a federation with the British monarch as the titular head of state. Calls for a republic have been made, with a failed referendum in 1999. Recently, King Charles III was excluded from Australia's new five dollar note in favor of Indigenous Australians. New Zealand's ex-Prime Minister stated that the country would eventually become a republic, with a goal of transition by 2040 set by a lobby group called Republic. Papua New Guinea was also colonized by the British and handed over to the Australian federation in 1906. It remained under Australian administration until 1975, and there have been no strong calls for the removal of the King as titular head in the country.

The Solomon Islands 

The Solomon Islands are a breathtaking and culturally rich country that consists of six main islands and nearly 900 smaller ones. They are situated east of Papua New Guinea and have a fascinating history that includes a dark period of exploitation by the German and British armies. The islanders were used as slaves for labor on plantations in Fiji and Queensland, Australia. However, the Solomon Islands persevered and gained independence on July 7, 1978, which was a significant milestone in their story.

The Bahamas 

The Bahamas, another island in the West Indies, were colonized by the British in 1666. They established a plantation colony consisting of the native Lucayans. However, the settlers lost interest in developing the islands, and they became a pirate haven. To combat piracy, British troops were sent in 1718, and the island was captured by the US Navy in 1783, leading to an influx of American migrants. The Bahamas became independent on January 7, 1964, with locals governing internal affairs while the Governor-General oversaw foreign affairs, defense, and internal security.

Tuvalu

Tuvalu is a beautiful group of eight islands located in the South Pacific Ocean. However, its history is marred by British colonization in 1916, when it was included in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony for slave labor. As racial tensions and secession demands from Ellice Islanders grew, the colony was split into two in 1976, and Tuvalu gained independence in 1978.

Other Caribbean island-nations

Four other Caribbean islands — Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis—were colonized by the British in 1862, 1877, 1866 and 1623 respectively. They were mainly colonized for slave labour and cultivating crops such as sugarcane, yams, plantains, cocoa, coffee, and cotton. Saint Kitts and Nevis was the first Caribbean colony of the British Empire in 1623, while Grenada was handed over to the British by the French in 1783.

Belize, known as British Honduras till 1973, achieved full independence on September 21, 1981, after months of negotiations with Great Britain and Guatemala over territory disputes. Grenada became independent in 1974, and Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1983. Jamaica — one of the world’s biggest slave markets established by Britain’s Royal African Company — cultivated much of Europe’s sugar, indigo, and cacao. Jamaica became independent in 1962

Canada

Canada, one of the largest colonies of the British Empire, was established in the 1530s with colonies in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Hudson Bay. The French also set up colonies in the same region but lost them to the British in the French and Indian War in 1763. The British expansion led to the displacement of indigenous Canadians. In 1867, the Dominion of Canada was established, combining Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, giving Canada self-governing powers under the Crown.