King Charles is said to be dismayed after receiving shocking news that a Caribbean state has taken major steps to remove the late Queen from official documents.
The 75-year-old suffered a major blow as the redesign of the coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago could lead to the deposition of the late queen. According to reports, the symbol of colonialism is to be abolished.
Officials have already said they plan to remove an image of three ships used by Christopher Columbus, who many islanders believe the explorer’s expeditions to the area paved the way for centuries of European colonial rule and slavery in the region.
The government has asked residents of the twin islands whether they support the removal of statues, signs and monuments with colonial references. At a meeting on Wednesday, people of African, European and indigenous descent took turns to take the microphone to voice their opinions.
Eric Lewis, a First Peoples member, said: “What the hell is the Queen still doing on the coat of arms? Please let’s lay her to rest.”
The Queen is depicted on the nation’s coat of arms above the shield. A gold helmet to the front represents Queen Elizabeth II, the ruler of the colony at the time of its design.
Trinidad and Tobago was first colonized by the Spanish, who ruled it for almost 300 years before ceding it to the British.
Britain then ruled the islands for over 160 years until they gained independence in 1962. The colonial influence can still be felt everywhere in the streets and squares today. A statue of Columbus dominates a square of the same name in the capital, Port-of-Spain.