Following the passing of British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, Andrew Holness, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, released a statement expressing condolences on behalf of the tropical island.
“It was with great and profound sadness, that I learnt of the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, the longest- reigning British monarch, whose reign spanned seven decades,” the statement reads.
“We join our brothers and sisters in the Commonwealth in mourning her passing, and pray for the comfort of the members of her family, and the people of the United Kingdom, as they grieve the loss of their beloved Queen and matriarch,” the statement concludes.
Jamaica was an English colony from 1655 (when the English captured it from Spain). Jamaica was then under British colonial rule from 1707 until 1962, when the island gained independence.
In March, it was announced that Jamaica would be moving to have Queen Elizabeth removed as the head of state.
The Independent reported that “a coalition of Jamaican politicians, business leaders, doctors and musicians” is pushing for the country to formally cut ties with the monarchy.
The Parliament of Jamaica shared that the government had hoped to become a republic by Aug. 6, the anniversary of the country’s 60th Independence Day.
“It’s a long and arduous process, but having already put the wheels in motion, it will be full steam ahead in the coming weeks and months,” a senior government official told Harper’s BAZAAR.
King Charles III, who held the title of Prince of Wales until the Queen’s death on Thursday, is now the country’s new monarch.
“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” he said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother,” he continued. “I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
King Charles concluded, “During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”
