King Charles to ditch reference to UK's colonial past as he considers 'radical change' to royal honours

King Charles to ditch reference to UK's colonial past as he considers 'radical change' to royal honours
Stephen Dixon and Anne Diamond discuss dropping 'empire' from royal honours
GB News
Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 03/11/2024

- 12:47

Updated: 03/11/2024

- 12:54

The term 'Empire' is reportedly considered outdated among royal officials

King Charles has considered implementing 'radical change' to royal honours in a bid to ditch references to the UK's colonial past.

The changes would mean the term' Empire' would be removed from British honours.


Any replicant of an OBE award would reportedly be able to opt for Order of British' Excellence' or Order of Elizabeth, honouring the late Queen.

The OBE award, which stands for Order of the British Empire, is reportedly seen by royal officials as outdated and referencing the UK's colonial past.

King Charles OBE

King Charles has considered implementing 'radical change' to ditch reference to the UK's colonial past.

PA

Under the new plans, the traditional colonial-era titles would still be an option for those who wish to accept them.

A senior Palace official said: "Any change is a matter for the Government, but I think that they would find that this place was pretty open to the idea."

This rumoured change comes following calls from Caribbean Commonwealth nations for the UK to pay hundreds of billions in reparations for the slave trade.

During his South Pacific royal tour, King Charles shut down the idea of reparations when he addressed the Heads of Commonwealth nations in Samoa.

King CharlesKing Charles speaking at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in SamoaPA

Charles highlighted the need to "learn from the lessons of the past" and that "we must find the right ways to address it."

He said: "None of us can change the past, but we can commit with all our hearts to learn its lessons."

The Commonwealth can discuss the most challenging issues with openness and respect".

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has publicly ruled out slavery reparations.

Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming handed back his OBE last year

PA

Last year, actor Alan Cumming handed back his OBE due to the "misgivings about being associated with the toxicity of empire."

Benjamin Zephaniah, a poet whose parents come from the Caribbean, also turned down an OBE in 2003.

He said: "I get angry when I hear that word 'empire'. It reminds me of slavery."

Robert Hardman revealed the change in his updated biography of the King, which also revealed that Charles has reportedly cut off Prince Andrew's allowance and plans to enact the late Queen's will to move him from Royal Lodge to Frogmore Cottage.

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