In a historic move marking a significant shift in Grenada’s constitutional landscape, Governor General Dame Cécile La Grenade has granted assent to two landmark pieces of legislation that formally end the requirement for State officials to swear allegiance to the British monarch.
The Constitution (Oath of Allegiance) (Amendment) Act, 2025 and its companion bill were passed by Parliament and officially took effect on August 1, 2025. The laws mandate that all relevant public officials retake their oath—this time pledging allegiance to the State of Grenada—within 12 hours of the law’s enactment or no later than seven days following the appointed date.
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Public notice of the Governor General’s assent was issued via the official Gazette, with printed copies of the legislation made available at key government institutions, including the Treasury, post offices, public libraries, police stations, and District Revenue offices.
Reform Sparks Constitutional Debate
While the bills represent a long-anticipated goal of nationalists and constitutional reform advocates, they have also triggered concern among civic groups. The Independent Caucus for Constitution Reform, a non-governmental watchdog, formally appealed to the Governor General to withhold assent, arguing that the legislation undermines constitutional integrity.
In a letter dated July 27, the group wrote:
“We respectfully urge you to withhold assent from these bills in their present form, whose provisions contradict the foundational constructs of our Constitution. Section 45 entrusts you with this responsibility not merely as a ceremonial functionary, but as a constitutional safeguard in the service of democratic integrity.”
The letter went on to express alarm over what it described as the erosion of institutional checks and balances:
“Our objection is not symbolic—it reflects a profound apprehension about the erosion of legal checks and balances and the potential for democratic capture. We implore Your Excellency to exercise your constitutional directives to preserve the Constitution of Grenada and protect the legitimacy and independence of the Governor General’s Office.”
Longstanding Push for Reform
The amendments are the result of sustained efforts by the Citizens for Constitution Reform, a civil society coalition led by former Attorney General and constitutional law expert Dr. Francis Alexis. The organization made clear during its May 2024 media launch that its chief priority was to revise the Oath of Allegiance to reflect a modern, sovereign identity.
“There should no longer be allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and successors,” Dr. Alexis stated, “but instead to the land of our birth—our citizenship and homeland, Grenada.”
Dr. Alexis, who chaired Grenada’s previous constitutional reform committees during the 2016 and 2018 referendum campaigns, framed the change as a long-overdue realignment of the nation’s democratic values and post-colonial identity.
Broader Implications
The enactment of these amendments reflects a growing trend across the Caribbean toward asserting republican values and distancing state institutions from symbols of colonial heritage. While the reforms stop short of transitioning to a republic—an option previously rejected in public referenda—the revised oath marks a symbolic and substantive departure from Grenada’s monarchical ties.
Whether this move will reignite momentum for broader constitutional reform remains to be seen. However, it undeniably signals a deepening of the national conversation around sovereignty, democratic accountability, and post-independence identity.
