Belize Replaces Queen’s Image with National Heroes on New Dollar Bills

BELMOPAN, Belize — Belize has taken a significant step toward shedding its colonial past by replacing the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II on its currency with portraits of national heroes, including George Cadle Price, the country’s first prime minister and a key figure in its independence movement. The new banknotes, unveiled Thursday by Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael, will enter circulation in June.

The redesigned bills feature Price on the $100, $20, and $5 notes, while Philip Goldson, a prominent anti-colonial activist and politician, will appear on the $50, $10, and $2 denominations. The move is part of a broader effort to modernize the currency with enhanced security features while celebrating Belize’s history and heritage.

“The new family of notes allows us to recognize and celebrate our heritage and the rich history of Belize,” Michael said during the unveiling ceremony. The updated designs include advanced anti-counterfeit measures and improved durability.

Prime Minister Johnny Briceño emphasized the symbolic importance of the change, stating that the new notes “exemplify our national heroes who symbolize our resistance.” He added, “Each time we look at the faces of our national heroes on our new currency, we are seeing history, we are seeing leadership, we are seeing the great work that led us to where we are today.”

The decision has sparked mixed reactions among Belizeans. While some applaud the move as a step toward decolonization, others question the necessity of the redesign and its potential impact on the Belize dollar’s value. The currency is pegged to the U.S. dollar at a fixed rate of 2:1.

For advocates of Belize becoming a republic, the removal of the British monarch’s image is a milestone. Dr. Dylan Vernon, a political scientist and former ambassador to the European Union, described the change as “a small but significant symbolic step in the unfinished business of decolonization.” He stressed, however, that deeper constitutional reforms, such as separating legislative and executive powers and adopting proportional representation, are essential for meaningful progress.

Belize gained independence from Britain in 1981 but remains one of 14 Commonwealth realms that recognize King Charles III as head of state. In 2023, Briceño indicated that Belize is “quite likely” to become a republic, though no formal steps have been taken toward that goal.

The new banknotes align Belize with other Commonwealth nations that have removed the British monarch from their currency. In 2023, Australia announced plans to replace King Charles III’s image with an Indigenous design on its $5 note. Jamaica, which removed the sovereign from its currency in 1969, has yet to hold a referendum on becoming a republic.

The most recent royal visit to Belize occurred in 2022, when Prince William and Princess Kate faced protests during their tour of the Caribbean. The couple later traveled to Jamaica, where Prime Minister Andrew Holness told them the country was “moving on” from the British monarchy.

As Belize prepares to circulate its new currency, the nation reflects on its journey toward greater sovereignty and the enduring legacy of its national heroes.