The Queen and the Caribbean: Residences, Governors-General, etc...

[RJ TAYLER]

Because they see it through their own distorted republican eyes, and fail forever to find the truth (which itself is as alien to them as walking on the moon 100 years ago) of the matter.

 

[wbenson]

The Associated Press: Bahamas' governor general to retire next month

The Bahamas has announced that its governor general is stepping down.

A government statement issued Sunday says Arthur D. Hanna will retire April 14.

 

[wbenson]

The Tribune

Tomorrow's Speech From the Throne at the opening of Parliament will be read by the Bahamas' new Governor General, Sir Arthur Foulkes.

As was predicted by The Tribune earlier this week, The Cabinet Office has just announced that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has appointed Sir Arthur Governor-General of The Bahamas and her official representative in The Bahamas.

 

[RJ TAYLER]

I wish him well in his new post. I hope the 'job' does not get the better of him in terms of his health either.

 

[CrownPrincess5]

Actually, Queen Elizabeth is no longer the monarch over the Bahamas. I think they gained their independence from her in the '70s. Although a lot of what they do is still adapted from the British.

 

[Lumutqueen]

Actually, Queen Elizabeth is no longer the monarch over the Bahamas. I think they gained their independence from her in the '70s. Although a lot of what they do is still adapted from the British.

They are a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and still have Queen Elizabeth as there monarch.

 

[CrownPrincess5]

They are a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and still have Queen Elizabeth as there monarch.

What exactly do you mean when you say Queen Elizabeth is their monarch? Bahamas gained independence in the '70s, which makes them an independent nation. Although, like I said earlier, Bahamas still follows traditions from the UK. Bahamas is very "lenient" with the situation because they like the Queen, so they have not totally pulled away from her.

 

[wbenson]

The Bahamas is an independent constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of the Bahamas in a role that is legally separate from her role as Queen of the United Kingdom.

 

[Osipi]

The Bahamas is an independent constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of the Bahamas in a role that is legally separate from her role as Queen of the United Kingdom.

And also very much like Canada. Canada has her own parliament and Governor General but Queen Elizabeth is still regarded as the Head of State as they are still a British Commonweath nation and recognize the Queen as such.

 

[wbenson]

PM wants monarchy replaced before 50th anniversary of Independence - News - JamaicaObserver.com

Prime Minister Bruce Golding says he wants Jamaica to mark its 50th year of Independence free of its colonial ties to the British monarchy and has proposed that the team assigned to resolve the contentious issue of our final court of appeal examine the method by which a head of state will be appointed under republican status.

 

[wbenson]

The great 2012 race: Bruce vs The Queen - Columns - JamaicaObserver.com

We know that the Government and Opposition agreed sometime ago to work towards putting in place certain constitutional arrangements, including replacing the Queen as head of state, before Jamaica turns 50. Will it happen? Or will the plan become a victim of time and circumstances?

 

[Patty93]

Even though I don't like Queen Elizabeth she shouldn't abdicate r other thing like that.British tradition should be respected.No matter if we have XXI century or XXX.

 

[Lenora]

Jamaica's new prime minister has been sworn in - and immediately vowed to ditch the Queen as her country's official Head of State.
Portia Simpson Miller said she would sever colonial-era links by abandoning the British monarch and adopting a republican form of government


Read more: 'I think time come': Jamaica to ditch Queen as official Head of State as new PM vows to sever colonial-era links with Britain | Mail Online
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16450907

 

[LadyGabrielle]

So Patty why dont you like the Queen? Everyone is entitled to their opinion but Im just curious. As for Jamaica, why would they give up being part of the crown? Have they been treated badly by the U.K.?

 

[Iluvbertie]

It isn't a matter of how they have been treated but how they feel about themselves.

They want to have their own Head of State.

In the US every child theoretically has the ability to grow up to be the nation's Head of State. In Jamaica they can't - and what is more that Head of State doesn't even live in Jamaica - that is the problem - having a foriegner who visits about once a decade as the Head of State.

They aren't 'part of the crown'. Jamaica is a separate realm not part of the UK at all. Since the UK moved into the EEC, as it was then - now the EU - it has had less and less relevance to the other realms - a number of which have raised the spectre of becoming republics, many of which have done so. When the Queen became Queen there were about 50 realms but now there are 16 and by the time William becomes King there will probably be single figures.

Australia will probably become a republic shortly after the Queen dies and I say that because at the moment it appears that both political parties have decided to put on hold the question of a republic for the rest of the Queen's reign.

I do think Canada may end up being the last overseas realm.

 

[LadyGabrielle]

Thank you for the explanation. I understand now. Always learning something new

 

[CarolynHarris]

The Intinerary for the Earl and Countess of Wessex's 2012 tour of the West Indies has been announced. I have a post on my website about royal visits to the Caribbean, particularly visits to the Cayman Islands
Royals of the Caribbean: The 2012 Diamond Jubilee Commonwealth Tours Begin | Carolyn Harris: Royal Historian

 

[wbenson]

Government begins talks on Republic status - News - Go-Jamaica

The Government says it has started initial discussions regarding Jamaica’s transition to republican status.

Minister with responsibility for Information, Sandrea Falconer, made the disclosure at yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing.

 

[wbenson]

Queen invited for 375th milestone -- NationNews Barbados -- Local, Regional and International News -- nationnews.com

If a request from the Barbados Government is granted, Queen Elizabeth II could be here for Parliament’s 375th anniversary in 2014.