By. St. Paul’s News Team
November 1 2026 | Politics
Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th Independence Day celebrations took on added international significance on Sunday as King Charles III and Queen Camilla joined residents, religious leaders and government officials for a special interfaith service in St. John’s.
Their Majesties attended the service at the St. John’s Pentecostal Church – House of Restoration Ministries, where the gathering brought together members of the religious community and the wider public for an occasion centred on prayer, reflection, thanksgiving and national unity.
The service was hosted by Prime Minister Gaston Browne and formed part of the official programme surrounding the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2026), being held in St. John’s from November 1 to 4.
The presence of the King and Queen added a distinctive royal dimension to Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence celebrations, as the nation marked 45 years since achieving independence from Britain on November 1, 1981.
The gathering also underscored the enduring connections among Commonwealth nations and the ability of faith, culture and community to bring people together despite differences in geography, background and tradition.
For Antigua and Barbuda, the occasion comes at a moment when the twin-island nation is firmly in the international spotlight. The country is welcoming leaders, ministers, diplomats and representatives from the 56-member Commonwealth for discussions focused on partnership, investment, development and shared global challenges.
The interfaith service provided an opportunity to reflect on the values that connect communities while offering prayers and goodwill as Antigua and Barbuda assumes the responsibility of hosting one of the Commonwealth’s most important political gatherings.
King Charles, who is Head of the Commonwealth, and Queen Camilla are in Antigua and Barbuda as part of their engagements surrounding CHOGM 2026. Their participation in the Independence Day service highlighted the significance of the occasion and the close relationship between the country and the wider Commonwealth family.
For worshippers and guests gathered at the House of Restoration Ministries, the royal attendance provided a memorable backdrop to a day already steeped in national pride and celebration.
As Antigua and Barbuda celebrates its 45th year as an independent nation, the service served as a reminder of the importance of unity, faith and shared purpose, values that resonate not only within the nation but across the diverse Commonwealth community.
With the eyes of the Commonwealth focused on St. John’s, the presence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla added further distinction to a historic Independence Day and reinforced Antigua and Barbuda’s role at the centre of Commonwealth diplomacy and celebration.