Prince Charles tells Commonwealth you can ditch the monarchy if you want to

Prince Charles has told former British colonies that they are free to split from the monarchy if they want.

The Prince of Wales was speaking to Commonwealth leaders in Rwanda, with many nations having indicated a preference for becoming a republic.

Of the 32 nations that the Queen has reigned over, 17 have ditched the monarchy with Barbados the most recent to break ties last year.

Of the 15 countries that she remains head of state in, Jamaica has signalled a desire to follow in their Caribbean neighbour's footsteps, while the republican movement in Australia is gathering momentum.

Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, the Solomon Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Tuvalu are the other countries which retain the monarchy.

The role of the monarchy in Commonwealth countries has been the subject of intense debate

Prince Charles said in quotes reported by the Daily Mail: “The Commonwealth contains within it countries that have had constitutional relationships with my family, some that continue to do so, and increasingly those that have had none.

“I want to say clearly, as I have said before, that each member’s constitutional arrangement, as republic or monarchy, is purely a matter for each member country to decide.”

The outlet reports that sources say both Buckingham Palace and Clarence House acknowledge that once the Queen dies, many countries will look to seek independence.

Behind the scenes, work is being done to ensure that any splits are done in an amicable spirit, with countries remaining part of the Commonwealth ‘family of nations’.

The prince's announcement comes against a backdrop of intense debate on the issue of the role of the royal family in Commonwealth nations, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge accused of including “colonial” aspects of a recent tour of the Caribbean.

The Prince of Wales is keen to maintain a spirit of cooperation and friendship with nations that become republics

Prince Charles added: “Throughout her reign, the Queen has placed – and continues to place – the greatest importance on the common friendship, humanity and values that all of us share in this room, not despite but because of the diversity the Commonwealth represents.

“I treasure the friendships we have built over these past 70 years, and look forward to their deepening in the years ahead.

“Our Commonwealth family is – and will always remain – a free association of independent, self-governing nations. We meet and talk as equals, sharing our knowledge and experience for the betterment of all citizens of the Commonwealth and the wider world.”