Antigua and Barbuda, a Commonwealth country and former colony of the British Empire, will hold a referendum on becoming a republic and removing King Charles III as the head of state within three years, its prime minister has said.  

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne told the UK’s ITV News on Saturday that "this is a matter that has to be taken to a referendum for the people to decide."

This was Browne’s first interview since the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.

Browne said "it does not represent any form of disrespect to the monarch. This is not an act of hostility, or any difference between Antigua and Barbuda and the monarchy."

The Caribbean country is one of 14 states to retain a British monarch as head of state, with Browne signing a document confirming Charles’ status as the new King for now.

Some context: King Charles III will now become head of the Commonwealth, although that is not a hereditary position, after his succession to the role was agreed by Commonwealth leaders at a meeting in London in 2018.