Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that after the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II within three years he will call a referendum to introduce a republican form of government in the state, PA Media reports.

The Caribbean country is one of 14 states to retain a British monarch as head of state. Prime Minister Gaston Browne signed a document confirming Charles' status as the new king.

But minutes later, he said he would push for a Republican referendum after stating earlier this year during a visit by the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

He noted that his country will remain a committed member of the Commonwealth even if it loses the monarchy as a result of the referendum.

In April, Brown urged the Dukes of Wessex to use their diplomatic influence to achieve reparative justice and declared his country's desire to one day become a republic.

Meanwhile, the current heirs to the throne, William and Kate, were accused of going back to colonial times in Jamaica in March when they shook hands with a crowd behind a mesh fence and rode in the back of a Land Rover as the queen did 60 years ago.

Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness told William and Kate that his country could be the next republic, and the Belizean minister said afterward that it might be time to take the next step toward true independence.

After the trip, William acknowledged that the days of the monarchy in the Caribbean may be numbered, saying that the future should be decided by the people.