The passing of the Queen has reignited conversations among some Caribbean countries in the Commonwealth over whether independence is imminent, with calls for it to serve as a moment of “rebirth” for the nation.
In Bermuda, a self-governing British Overseas Territory in the Atlantic Ocean, independence has been a topic of conversation for decades, but in the days after Queen Elizabeth’s death, there have only been public displays of respect and honour for the late Queen.
In the capital Hamilton on September 9, the Royal Bermuda Regiment honoured the Queen with a 21-rifle salute, and at the Cabinet Office, the Union Flag flew at half-mast.
“A life of undimmed duty, a model of strength and devotion to country,” said Premier David Burt following news of Queen Elizabeth’s death. “On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, I express sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom.”
With the accession of King Charles III, some Bermudians gathered to publicly show support for the new monarch, proclaiming him “head of the Commonwealth, defender of the faith”.
“I don’t think the events were just about protocol,” Reaia Ball, a lawyer born and now living in Bermuda, told i. “I think the government wanted to pay their respects to the Queen. It was a way to honour her.”
However in conversations over the last week, Ms Ball has observed two distinct ways people in Bermuda think about the Queen’s death.
“Sentiments are split,” Ms Ball said. “Many of the older generation feel an impact of her loss. It could be because of the connection they had with the Queen. There is also greater respect and recognition for the crown and for royalty.”
Even though the older generation may acknowledge the impacts of colonialism, Ms Ball thinks the older generation is able to separate the person from the institution. “But for the younger generation, the person and the institution are the same,” she said.
Although Ms Ball admits she can’t speak for every young person in Bermuda, she has generally noticed an indifference regarding the Queen’s death and the new King.
“There just isn’t the emotional connection for them,” she said. “There isn’t necessarily a lack of respect, but the impact on them is much less than on the older generation.”
There have been no public demonstrations in opposition to the Crown, but neither have there been signs of overwhelming support for it.
The monarchy has not been extensively covered in Bermudan media or spoken about excessively in everyday conversations over the last week, but a national holiday was held on Monday to mark the Queen’s funeral and Ms Ball watched the event.
“I feel a sense of sympathy for her family,” Ms Ball said. “She was a mother. A grandmother. A friend. I don’t share the full sentiments as that of the older generation, but I wouldn’t say I feel completely indifferent either.”
Ms Ball and many of her fellow Bermudians are anticipating what the reign of King Charles III will mean for Bermuda in the coming years, and whether it will be under his rule that Bermuda declares independence.
She thinks the events of the last few weeks could “spark more conversation and discourse of independence.”
However, she thinks if independence is on the horizon, Bermudan leaders should be certain it is a step the rest of the country wants to take.
“The death of the Queen marks a watershed moment for future generations,” Dr Cindy N Trimm, a former senator, told i. “We now have to deconstruct history and then move forward to determine our future.”
A Crown colony since 1684, Bermuda’s identity is wrapped up in being part of the Commonwealth.
Dr Trimm believes that, in what is a necessary “deconstruction phase”, Bermudians should be asking how the UK has valued human beings in the past, and if the territory still wants to be represented by a British figurehead in light of its treatment of people over the years.
She said that after reflecting on the past, Bermuda should “define who we are independent of the institution.”
She added taht although she couldn’t guarantee it, she expected Bermuda would eventually declare independence, like a child who moves into adulthood: “It’s about choosing the trajectory of yourself as an individual and creating a new identity by forging a family. As a small, but very powerful nation, we can lead change.”
Above all, Dr Trimm wants Bermuda to “become a voice of hope that inspires and enriches human consciousness”, whether that be as part of the Commonwealth or as an independent nation.
“We have an opportunity now to resurface the path we take towards our future,” she said. “We should not just see this as a death, but as a rebirth.”
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