Awkward? Charles III meets Antigua and Barbuda’s PM days after he vowed to hold referendum to remove him as Head of State

Black Immigrant Daily News

DAILY MAIL:

King Charles III met the rebellious Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda at Buckingham Palace today just days after he threatened to hold a republican referendum to ditch The Crown and remove Britain’s monarch as the Commonwealth country’s head of state – ahead of the ‘reception of the century’ for 1,000 VIPs including world leaders and foreign royals tonight.

The new sovereign smiled and waved at well-wishers who cheered him as he was driven through the palace gates in the state Rolls-Royce this afternoon.

After meeting Prime Minister Liz Truss in the 1844 Room at 12.15pm, Charles shook hands with Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, who has renewed efforts to stage a referendum on the country becoming a republic within three years of the Queen‘s death.

The King and Queen Consort Camilla will tonight host hundreds of dignitaries, from world leaders including US President Joe Biden, New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern and Canadian premier Justin Trudeau to senior members of the British royal family, ambassadors from almost all nations, and foreign royals including Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and the Kings and Queens from Holland, Norway and Spain.

Most dignitaries are also expected to view the Queen‘s coffin in the ancient heart of Parliament after being given a VIP timeslot – raising the prospect that mourners who have queued through the night will pay their respects with leaders of the free world.

However, guests asked to wear lounge suits and morning dress rather than ball gowns and white tie as would be expected at a usual state event at the King’s London home. They will arrive at 6pm for drinks and canapes in the Buckingham Palace picture gallery and state apartments.

And reports suggest that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were ‘uninvited’ to a state reception for world leaders and foreign royals this evening.

Mr Biden, who flew in late last night, said that the Queen ‘defined an era’ after she reigned for a record-breaking 70 years. Australia’s anti-monarchy Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who viewed the lying-in-state and met Charles yesterday, told Sky News Australia that the Queen was ‘a constant reassuring presence’. There was also a private audience at Buckingham Palace for Ms Ardern, which like Australia and 12 other Commonwealth realms now counts Charles as its sovereign.

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