Image source, Getty Images Image caption,

King Charles III, seen here with Ralph Gonsalves, is head of state in a number of Caribbean countries

By Mohamed Madi & Celestina Olulode

BBC News

The Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines has said having a British monarch as head of state is "an absurdity" he would like to end in his lifetime.

Ralph Gonsalves said he would welcome an apology from the British state and monarchy on past injustices relating to slavery.

He said he believes King Charles III is open to talking about reparations.

King Charles is head of state in eight Caribbean countries.

Within the past year, political leaders in the Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda have all indicated their plans to review their positions as constitutional monarchies.

The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, told the BBC his country is "not totally free" as long as King Charles III remains head of state and that a public consultation on whether the nation should become a republic would begin during his leadership.