The Changing of the Guard

September 8, 2022 will be forever etched in history as it marks the day when the longest-serving female British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, died at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeen, Scotland. She had served as the Queen of England for over 70 years. Since her passing, there have been several changes.

Political Changes

•  The Royal Family now has a new line of succession to the throne. Prince Charles, the son of the late Queen, has inherited the throne and his new title is King Charles III.
• The wife of King Charles III, Camilla Parker Bowles, is now known as the Queen Consort.
• Prince William, the oldest son of King Charles III, formerly the Duke of Cornwall and the Prince’s wife, Kate Middleton, formerly the Duchess of Cambridge, are now known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.
• The Queen’s Cypher that is displayed on flags will be replaced by the new cypher of King Charles III which shows the crown above his first initial of his name ‘C’ intertwined with an ‘R’ for Rex (Latin for King) and will have a ‘III’ placed inside.
• Countries in the Commonwealth, as a sign of respect, observed a period of mourning after the Queen’s death. In Jamaica, the period of mourning was from September 8 to September 19, 2022. Additionally, on September 8, 2022, bells were tolled nationally in churches throughout all parish capitals for one hour beginning at 6:00 p.m. A condolence book was also made available for the public at King’s House and in custodial offices of all parishes from September 8 -19, 2022.
• At the announcement of the Queen’s death, flags on public buildings in Jamaica were flown at half-mast for the period of mourning.
• The Governor-General’s role in countries of the Commonwealth will not change. In light of the transition to a new Sovereign, the Governor-General will be His Majesty The King’s representative in Jamaica.

Judiciary Changes

•  Senior barristers in Jamaica formerly known as Queen’s Counsel or QC, will now be referred to as King’s Counsel or KC.
• People prosecuted in the name of the Queen in court will now have to be brought in the name of the King.

Business Changes

• Labels will be removed from products that feature the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (UK).
• Currency with the image of the Queen is still legal tender. It will eventually be phased out and replaced with the portrait of King Charles III.
• Stamps featuring Queen Elizabeth II will be replaced with King Charles III’s image.

Social Changes

• The title of the UK’s national anthem will be changed from ‘God Save the Queen’ to ‘God Save the King’. All the lyrics will remain the same, except mentions of the Queen will change to ‘King’. All pronouns in the anthem will also be changed from ‘she’ and ‘her’ to ‘he’ and ‘him’.

For additional information contact
The Governor-General’s Office
King’s House
Hope Road
Kingston 6
Tel: 876-927-6424
Email: kingshouse@kingshouse.gov.jm
Website: https://kingshouse.gov.jm