Jamaican PM vows to abolish Monarchy, welcomes Prince William and Kate Middleton despite protests

In a significant development, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has reaffirmed his commitment to abolish the monarchy in the country, setting the stage for Jamaica's potential transformation into a republic.

Despite facing protests during a controversial royal tour last year, Prince William and Kate Middleton are warmly welcomed to return to the Caribbean island, emphasized the Prime Minister. Acknowledging the deep respect and admiration for Queen Elizabeth II in Jamaica, Prime Minister Holness expressed regret that the monarchy could not be dissolved during her reign.

He revealed that there had always been a strong affection for the Queen in the nation, making a transition away from the monarchy a sensitive matter. He asserted that the appropriate time for this constitutional shift was now, given the evolving public sentiment and a clear tendency towards republicanism. Recent polls indicated that 49 percent of Jamaicans were in favor of becoming a republic, with 40 percent supporting the retention of the monarchy and 11 percent undecided.

Jamaica is one of the eight Caribbean nations that have maintained their historical ties with the British monarchy. "We have started the journey towards becoming a republic. We have established indicative timelines and embarked on a process of public education," said Prime Minister Holness, a three-time leader of the country. He acknowledged that the path to republic status was not linear and involved legislative elements and referendums.

Prime Minister Holness outlined the steps to be taken, stating that after public education and consultation, legislation would be tabled in Parliament for six months before a referendum could be held. He admitted that the initial timeline to accomplish the transition within a year had been extended due to the extensive public engagement required.

Regarding the possible timeline for Jamaica's transition into a republic, Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the speed of the process depended on various factors. Despite not providing a concrete deadline, he reassured the public that the constitutional reform process was underway and progress would be made.

Jamaica's Minister for Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte, expressed criticism towards King Charles, the heir to the British throne. She highlighted that many Jamaicans had a warm affection for Queen Elizabeth II, as she was on the throne when Jamaica gained independence. However, she stated that the same sentiment did not extend to King Charles, describing him as "foreign" to Jamaicans.