Tonight, 36 hours after the death of our Head of State and the ascension of her heir King Charles III, Belize is in an official state of mourning, and flags - especially at the Governor General's residence - fly at half mast.
Our constitution states that executive authority of the state is vested in Her Majesty her Queen, but the Queen is no more, so what's next for Belize?
Do we change the constitution to make it "His Majesty the King", or will we use this as an opportunity to embark on a different course as a parliamentary republic instead of a constitutional monarchy?
And what is to happen to our currency? The half a billion notes and coins in circulation with the face of the Queen emblazoned on them?
And how can Belize be in an official state of morning - in the middle of the celebration season?
These are the very weighty questions that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet have to ponder in the coming week.
So which way will Belize go? That's what we asked PM Briceno at his office today:
In his first address King Charles the third reached out to members of the Commonwealth that he intended to serve them.
Charles III, King Of the United Kingdom
"As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion. I too now solemnly pledge myself throughout the remaining time God grants me to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation and wherever you may live in the United Kingdom or in the Realms and territories across the world and whatever may be your background or beliefs I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect, and love as I have throughout my life."
But will he, as Queen Elizabeth's successor also become Belize's head of state?
At this point, it's still too early to say. And that's according to the Prime Minister, who when asked today if this was the opportune moment to consider a switch, answered like this.
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I don't want to use opportune because I don't want to in any way believe that we are celebrating that the Queen is dead. I'm just saying that this is the opportunity, since we have already set up this commission. The constitutional commission, which will be looking at all of these things from whether we stay with the King as the head of state or we change that or do we change the system of governance - should we go to a strict republican system or a hybrid between a republican system or a parliamentary system - all of these things we are going to have discussions within the next year and hopefully we can come back to the Belizean people with some set proposals and so I don't want to say anything more than just to leave it open to hear from Belizeans before we can put forth some solid proposals to our citizens."
But there are fundamental practical considerations moving forward that have to be addressed moving forward.
First off, the term "Her Majesty" appears at least 12 times in the Constitution of Belize. In fact, the power of the state, the executive authority of the state is derived from her majesty, how and when will this be changed?
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, I think first of all that is something that I would have to get advice from the attorney General, but probably the best way to explain or to answer your question is that we have just appointed a constitutional commission. We hope to have house meeting next week Friday to finalize the legislation and to get the work of that commission going and we are hoping now that they will be able to listen to our citizens to see what ideas they have whether we stay with the King now as the head of state, should we change the system of governance, should we come up with a totally new constitution, should we make amendments to the constitution - we want to hear from our people. So I believe that from that standpoint we need to allow the process to work. But what I was quickly told was that we can make a constitutional amendment - a constitutional amendment, I think we need two thirds majority to be able to change that, so if it comes that it has to be done legally, then we could go to the house and get a vote to change from her to his."
The other very urgent practical matter is what shall happen to our currency?
For Belize's entire history as a colony, the monarch's face has appeared on the currency. But this is the 21st century and as Belize gets ready to celebrate its 41st anniversary of Independence will our currency continue to pledge fealty to another monarch?
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, if we make that decision probably it will be so, but there is a process through the Central Bank and they will come with their recommendations to me as the Minister of Finance and obviously then I will have to take it to the Cabinet and then on to the National Assembly."
We asked that question to the Governor of the Central Bank today but he says that for now, the Queen's image remaining on the currency notes changes nothing - even though she is dead:
Kareem Michael, Govenor - Central Bank of Belize
"It doesn't change at all - and this has to be emphasized - the fact that these notes and coins in circulation - which is - only the Central Bank has the right to issue these as legal tender - changes it from being legal tender. Doesn't at all. I mention earlier that past presidents, past heroes are on a number of national issued currencies across jurisdiction, but if that decision were to be made you are looking at a significant cost and a long drawn out process to change the family of notes currently in circulation - with the Queen's face on it."
Jules Vasquez
"So then if I'm hearing your right, there is no great urgency to do it. It is fine if we have a dead monarch on the note."
Kareem Michael, Govenor - Central Bank of Belize
"Yes, it is fine purely from a Central Bank standpoint of maintaining the value of that currency, of the Belize dollar."
But apart from those practical considerations, Belize is at an existential crossroads, should we continue as a constitutional monarchy, clinging to the King as our head of state or should we at this liminal moment do like Barbados has done, and become a parliamentary republic?
Today, the Prime Minister's cautious tone made it clear that there are no easy answers to this - and it will be some time before a decision is made.
But, if he seeks one senior minister for advice, this is what he'll hear:
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"Regardless of your views on the monarchy and I believe we should abolish the monarchy. We should put behind us the vestiges of colonialism once and for all but that does not take away from our fondness for the Queen, um, I mean she has saved our commonwealth with distinction and grace so we are definitely thinking about her family during this difficult time. I think you know we certainly understand the significant role that she has played in the history of the Commonwealth and Belize is a part of that you know whatever our position on the monarchy we have to pay tribute to her long-distinguished record of service to our region and to our country."
