1981. The Queen of Antigua and Barbuda visited in 1985, and met patients and staff in the new Children's Ward of the Holberton Hospital following a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in the Bahamas. The Duke of York visited in January 2001. The Earl of Wessex visited Antigua and Barbuda in October 2003 as Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award International Association. The Earl of Wessex visited again in 2006 to represent the Queen at the celebrations marking the country's twenty fifth anniversary of independence. In March 2012, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, visited Antigua and Barbuda to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Prince Harry visited in 2016 to mark the 35th anniversary of independence of Antigua and Barbuda. In November 2017, the Prince of Wales visited Antigua and Barbuda to see how communities were recovering following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The Earl and Countess of Wessex visited in April 2022 to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Republicanism The monarchy is not a major topic of debate in Antigua and Barbuda. In 2020, Information Minister, Melford Nicholas stated that the country may examine the possibility of transition to a republic in some point in the future. In 2022, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said he aspires the country to become a republic "at some point", and acknowledged that such a move is "not on the cards", and Antigua and Barbuda will continue as a monarchy for "some time to follow". On 10 September 2022, following the proclamation of Charles III as king, Browne stated that he plans to hold a referendum within three years on becoming a republic. List of Antiguan and Barbudan monarchs See also Lists of office-holders List of prime ministers of Elizabeth II List of prime ministers of Charles III List of Commonwealth visits made by Elizabeth II Monarchies in the Americas List of monarchies King Court Tackey References External links Antigua and Barbuda at The Royal Family website 1981 Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda Government of Antigua and Barbuda Politics of Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda Heads of state of Antigua and Barbuda 1981 establishments in Antigua and Barbuda Monarchies of North America Kingdoms