A vote on the future of the monarchy in St Vincent and the Grenadines will now not take place following a visit to the country by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

The Prime Minister of St Vincent, Ralph Gonsalves, made the announcement following the departure of Prince Charles from the country.

St Vincent and the Grenadines is the only Caribbean nation to hold a referendum on abolishing the monarchy. In the 2009 vote, more than 55% of ballots cast were in favour of keeping The Queen as Head of State rather than an elected president.

Prime Minister Gonsalves campaigned to abolish the monarchy in the referendum but warmly welcomed Charles & Camilla to his country for a day-long visit.

When asked whether he still plans to hold a second referendum on the future of the monarchy in St Vincent, the PM replied: “Not with me, somebody else may do that, not me.”

He added: “St Vincent and the Grenadines is the only country in the Caribbean where the matter has been put to the people in respect of doing away with the monarchy and having a homegrown ceremonial president.

“I’m not a monarchist, but I accept it, the Queen of England not only legally but politically is the Queen of St Vincent and the Grenadines and I accept that.”

You can read more about Charles and Camilla’s visit to St Vincent and the Grenadines by clicking here.