Grenada Marks Emancipation Day by Removing Oath to King Charles

Grenada has formally removed its oath of allegiance to King Charles III. The constitutional change took effect on August 1, 2025. It coincided with Emancipation Day, giving the move powerful symbolic weight across the Caribbean. Citizens and leaders see it as a step toward full sovereignty. It reflects growing pressure to dismantle colonial ties that linger decades after independence.

Grenada Drops the Oath to King Charles

Under the new law, Grenadians will now pledge loyalty to the nation. The oath will no longer include the British monarch, his heirs, or successors. The Constitution (Oath of Allegiance) Amendment Bill passed earlier this year. It came into force during national celebrations of emancipation from slavery. Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell’s government presented the change as part of a plan to strengthen national identity. Many residents welcomed it, saying the monarchy no longer matters in their daily lives.

Arley Gill, the head of the Grenada Reparations Commissio, describes republicanism as unfinished decolonization. He points to the cost of maintaining the Governor General, the monarch’s representative. The role comes with salary, housing, and security, all paid by Grenadian taxpayers. For Gil, removing the monarch is only one step. Reforming colonial-era institutions is equally urgent. Public support for republicanism is growing. However, national referendums are still required in several states.

Slavery Profits and the Monarchy’s Historical Ties

New research by independent scholar Desirée Baptiste revealed that King George IV personally profited from enslaved labor on Grenadian plantations. A document from 1823–24 shows a £1,000 payment from Crown-owned estates directly to his private coffers. Adjusted for inflation, the amount equals over £103,000 today. The finding, verified by leading historians, intensified calls for the royal family to issue a full apology and commit to reparations. Gill said the evidence proves the monarchy directly profited from the island’s exploitation and cannot continue as its head of state without accountability.

Grenada’s decision to drop its oath to King Charles reflects a shifting tide in the Caribbean. Historical evidence of royal involvement in slavery and the financial costs of maintaining symbolic ties to the Crown have sharpened demands for justice and self-determination. For many, this moment marks not the end of a journey, but the beginning of a decisive push to complete the region’s break from colonial rule.