In a significant move reflecting a broader effort to distance itself from its colonial past, Trinidad and Tobago has initiated plans to remove the image of Queen Elizabeth II from its national coat of arms. This redesign, which could see the late monarch replaced by more culturally relevant symbols, comes as part of a national push to remove traces of colonialism from public spaces and official documents.

The proposed changes to the coat of arms aim to replace the depiction of Christopher Columbus’s ships—the Pinta, the Niña, and the Santa María—with the steelpan, a world-renowned percussion instrument that originated in the Caribbean nation. Many Trinidadians feel the ships, associated with Columbus’s voyages, symbolize the onset of European colonization and the centuries of enslavement that followed.

At a public meeting, citizens voiced their support for removing colonial references, with some calling for further actions. Eric Lewis, a representative of the First Peoples, expressed frustration with the lingering colonial symbols, saying, “What the hell is the Queen still doing on top of the coat of arms? Please let us put her to rest.”

Queen Elizabeth II’s golden helmet, which currently sits above the shield on the coat of arms, represents her role as the nation’s ruler at the time of its design. Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from Britain in 1962, but vestiges of its colonial past remain evident in monuments, statues, and public names throughout the islands.

The government’s efforts to engage with the public on the issue have drawn attention to a broader conversation about national identity, with many citizens advocating for changes that better reflect the cultural and historical values of the nation. As Trinidad and Tobago continues to navigate its post-colonial legacy, these symbolic transformations represent a critical step toward reshaping its identity on the global stage.