The World Ahead Globe Icon
The World Ahead | Britain in 2024

Which Commonwealth realms might ditch King Charles III?

A new wave of republicanism is gathering

The imperial state crown being crossed out
Illustration: Nate Kitch

By Catherine Nixey

Can you name the King of Tuvalu? Or of Papua New Guinea? Or Belize? Probably not. How about the King of Canada? That one’s easier. It’s also a clue. For they are all King Charles III. Never a man short of titles (he has also, at various times, been the “Great Steward of Scotland” and the Tolkienish “Lord of the Isles”, and is currently “Defender of the Faith”), Charles III is the head of 15 realms including Australia, the Bahamas and Grenada. A third of the world’s monarchies have him as their king. For now, at least.

Explore more

This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition of The World Ahead 2024 under the headline “Throne out?”

Discover more

The World Ahead The World Ahead 2025

Ten business trends for 2025, and forecasts for 15 industries

A global round-up from The Economist Intelligence Unit

Illustration of power boats in the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China

The World Ahead The year ahead

Calendar 2025

Our selection of events taking place around the world


The World Ahead Superforecasters in 2025

What the “superforecasters” predict for major events in 2025

The experts at Good Judgment weigh in on the coming year


The World Ahead Obituary in 2025

The rings of Saturn will disappear in 2025

First observed by Galileo, this occurs twice every 29 years

The World Ahead By Invitation: Science & technology in 2025

Casey Handmer says solar power is changing the economics of energy

Large-scale production of synthetic fuel is now feasible, argues the founder of Terraform Industries

The World Ahead Science & technology in 2025

Space missions to watch in 2025

Humans may fly around the Moon, and robots will explore new frontiers