No ‘republic’ status anytime soon, PM assures Royals, while begging for their intervention on issues

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda will continue to be a part of the British Monarchy for some time and is asking the visiting Royals for interventions on two issues: climate change and reparatory justice.

Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, and his wife, Sophie, the Countess, are on island to celebrate the Queen Elizabeth’s historic Platinum Jubilee.

While the couple has been met with aggression in other territories, they were welcomed to Antigua and Barbuda by the Government, with open arms and pomp and ceremony, as they engaged in several outings today, April 25.

During a meeting with PM Browne, the Royals were assured that, while this country will one day venture to become a republic, it will not be in the immediate future.

Browne, who praised the Queen, the head of State, and spoke about her longevity, says Britain and Antigua and Barbuda have had a very good relationship over these many decades.

Meanwhile, speaking to climate change, which the country has been addressing in international forums for several years, Browne asked the Royal couple to use their influence to assist Antigua and Barbuda in getting financial justice.

Addressing reparatory justice, Browne stated that Antiguans and Barbudans are a people who believe in constructive engagements, and this is one reason there have been no placard-bearing protests over the Royals’ visit.

He conceded that the nature of their job is not to get involved in any contentious issue; however, Browne asked the Royals to use their diplomatic influence to build bridges in achieving the reparatory justice being sought by the Caribbean.