The Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Timothy NJ Antoine has hinted at the possibility that King Charles might not be on Caribbean currency anymore by stating that, in his opinion, there is “no appetite” in the area that King Charles should remain in Caribbean currency.
Governor Antoine stated that the choice would be up to the Monetary Council, which is made up of the Finance Ministers of the member states, during a press briefing as the ECCB sought to highlight its calendar of events commemorating its 40th anniversary.
The question of what kind of relationship former British colonies in the Commonwealth, including many of the Eastern Caribbean states, will have with the United Kingdom, has been reevaluated again in light of the death of Queen Elizabeth.
The Changing sentiment
A growing number of Commonwealth countries have recently expressed a desire to secede from the British monarchy and establish republics. While some contend that the monarchy represents tradition and stability, others consider it to be an archaic institution with little application to contemporary democracies.
In nations like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where there have been calls for more autonomy and an independent identity, this sentiment has been particularly strong. Many people are interested in how these countries will manage the delicate balancing act between tradition and progress as the discussion over the monarchy’s future continues.
The story of Caribbean nations is no different. Last year, Barbados left the commonwealth. After 55 years of independence, the Barbadian monarchy was abolished on 30 November 2021, when Barbados became a republic declaring that Queen Elizabeth won’t be the head of state anymore.
Now, as King Charles is the next slated king, more and more Caribbean nations have made it ardent that they want to leave the Monarchy. Officials in at least six countries in the Caribbean including Jamaica, Grenada, and Antigua and Barbuda where the head of state of going to be King Charles have signaled they intend to remove the monarch as their sovereign.
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The Currency game
And so, this statement by the governor of Eastern Caribbean Central Bank is coming as no big surprise. Though, Caribbean nations kissing goodbye to Monarchy will be considered as an insult to injury.
The Royal Australian Mint noted that King Charles may replace his mother, yet, the Reserve Bank of Australia, has stated its intention to omit the portrait of King Charles from its $5 banknote.
To convey the idea that the nation will always be grateful to them for their contributions to the nation, the world frequently places its leader or ideal on its currency. However, the Caribbean countries now feel as though they are honouring their former slave master on their currency. Charles will therefore, likely fall short of receiving the proper recognition in the Commonwealth.
The currency of a country is also a representation of its sovereignty, having someone else on it (erstwhile colonisers), raises question on the mindset of the government who still is shackled to the invisible colonial chains.
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However, the fact that support for the British monarchy is declining shouldn’t be a secret. Everybody’s got their dues in life to pay, as Aerosmith sings in the famous song Dream on. This declining monarchy support is a karmic blow to the slave-producing monarchs.
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