# Bahamas Prime Minister Open to Removing King Charles as Head of State

> Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis said he is open to a referendum on ending the monarchy after hosting King Charles during his Caribbean tour.

- Publisher: Briefzora (https://briefzora.com)
- URL: https://briefzora.com/bahamas-prime-minister-open-to-removing-king-charles-as-head-of-state
- Published: 2026-10-31T02:46:42+05:00
- Author: Briefzora Desk (https://briefzora.com/author/briefzora-desk)
- Section: Politics
- Topics: The Sun Newspaper
- Image: https://briefzora.com/uploads/2026/10/bahamas-pm-says-hes-open-to-ditching-king-charles-as-head-of-state-bewvti.webp

## Key points

- Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis said he is open to a referendum on removing King Charles as head of state.
- Davis hosted the King during his Caribbean tour, including a youth rally and a street dance.
- The King's address acknowledged the suffering of the slave trade.
- Davis suggested reparations could involve education and The King's Trust rather than cash payouts.
- Any move to a republic would require a public vote, and Davis said the decision lies with the Bahamian people.

## Why it matters

The statement could lead to a national debate and possible referendum on the Bahamas' constitutional future, affecting its relationship with the British monarchy.

## Article

Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis told Sky News he is "open" to a referendum that could remove King Charles as the nation's head of state after welcoming the monarch on his nine-day Caribbean tour.

Davis met the King earlier this week, joining him at a youth rally, a speech in Parliament Square and a street dance before Charles departed for Guyana.

The King's address on Tuesday acknowledged the "great suffering" of the slave trade, a theme that will be revisited at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, where Davis will sit with the monarch and other leaders.

Speaking to Sky News, Davis said any reparations might take the form of education and support through initiatives like The King's Trust, rather than direct financial payouts.

When asked whether Britain should compensate for historic actions, Davis replied, "I think they have to appreciate the weight of that history and that ancestors like ourselves continue to bear."

He added that any move to remove the King would require a public vote and described his stance as "agnostic," noting he was elected in May without a referendum promise.

"That's a question for my people," Davis said, acknowledging passionate opinions on both sides of the republic debate and noting that past referendums in the country have not fared well.

He concluded, "I'm guided by the will of my people," and confirmed, "I'm open to it, yes."

Charles previously attended a ceremony in Barbados in 2021 that marked the island's transition to a republic, a change that did not involve a referendum.

The King is not issuing a formal apology for slavery or agreeing to reparations, consistent with government policy.

## Frequently asked questions

### Has the Bahamas prime minister said he will hold a referendum on becoming a republic?

He said any proposal to ditch the King would need a public vote and that the decision is for the people.

### What did King Charles say about the slave trade during his visit?

He acknowledged the "great suffering" of the slave trade in an address after arriving on Tuesday.


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