Jamaica’s PM pays tribute to the Queen

Andrew Holness is in London for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II today.

The Jamaican PM met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Saturday.

During the meeting, Britain’s new King met five prime ministers from Commonwealth countries, including Mr Holness.

In a video posted to the Royal Family’s YouTube channel, Mr Holness told King Charles “Jamaicans have a deep love and respect for her.”

Also on Saturday, the PM signed a condolence book opened at Lancaster House in London.

On Twitter he wrote: “As I moved through the city of London and saw the streets lined with hundreds of ordinary citizens, who queued for many hours, many of whom journeyed from all over the country to pay their respects, it was clear that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, was a profoundly beloved monarch.

“Queen Elizabeth’s passing ushers in a new era for both the people of the United Kingdom and for the rest of the world, who knew only one head of the state for 70 unbroken years.

“Her legacy is vast, and her mark on the world will be talked about long into the future.”

Mr Holness is being accompanied by the Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.

Jamaica’s Day of Mourning

Jamaica will also observe a Day of Mourning today to coincide with the Queen’s funeral.

“Previous guidance would have indicated September 18th as the Official Day of Mourning, however, subsequent communication from Buckingham Palace has advised that the Official Day of Mourning is to be the day of the official funeral of The Late Queen Elizabeth II,” a media release from King’s House stated.

Before leaving Jamaica, Mr Holness and his wife Juliet, signed a condolence book – which was opened at Kings House in Kingston.

On Twitter, he said: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II served the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth with dignity and grace.

“She was a compass of certainty, truth, respect and compassion. Her passing marks the end of an era and a new beginning for the Jamaican State.”

The Queen died on 8 September, aged 96, at Balmoral Castle, in Scotland.

In a Twitter post on the same day, he wrote: “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.

“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.”

During her reign, the Queen visited the Caribbean island six times.

Jamaica gained independence from Britain in 1962, but the Queen remained the head of state until her death.

The Commonwealth

Of the 54 Commonwealth countries, the British monarch was head of state for 15 of them.

King Charles will take over as head of state in several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

However, there is a growing republican movement across the Caribbean region.

Following Barbados’ highly publicised transition to a republic last November, several neighbouring nations have expressed the desire to do the same.

In March, the Jamaican PM told Prince William and Kate that the Jamaica is “moving on” and intends to become an “independent, developed and prosperous” country.

The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne says plans for a referendum on full independence is likely in the next three years.

Last week, The Bahamas also said it could hold a referendum on cutting ties with the British monarchy, after the country’s PM said: “I will have a referendum and the Bahamian people will have to say to me, ‘yes’.”

Today’s state funeral of the Queen, will include ceremonial processions in London and Windsor.

All processions and services will be shown on national television and radio.