“Prince Charles had made it clear in his speech to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda today
that even the Royal family think it’s time for change” said Lewis Holden, campaign chair of New Zealand Republic.
Charles told the meeting in a speech that “I want to say clearly, as I have said before, that each member’s constitutional arrangement, as republic or
monarchy is purely a matter for each member country to decide. The benefit of long life brings me the experience that
arrangements such as these can change, calmly and without rancour.”
“These comments are not a surprise. Charles has previously stated that he thinks New Zealand should have its own
“completely independent” head of state and that he would not want to get involved in any constitutional issues in New
Zealand.”
“Charles is clearly indicating - contrary to what supporters of the status quo have often claimed - that the Queen and
the Royal family will not be offended if New Zealand chooses to have our own head of state. To have done so at CHOGM is
significant, as it underlines the fact that the majority of Commonwealth members are now republics or have their own
heads of state in some form” concluded Mr Holden.