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Information Pages
We are called Antigua & Barbuda, but actually, we have a third island, called Redonda. Well, it is really not more than a big rock whose cliffs are battered by the harsh swells of the sea. And, the question is: Does it really belong to our nation? You may decide by yourself, after reading the history of Redonda.  In 1865, a part Montserratian and part Irish trader sailed passed the rock called Redonda by Christopher Columbus. Remembering that he somehow descended from Irish kings, he annexed the rock so that his son could later become the king of Redonda. On his fifteenth birthday, the boy was indeed crowned King Phillip I of Redonda by the Bishop of Antigua. Ten years later, the British annexed Redonda as a dependency of Antigua, but never disputed the royal claim. In 1880, the king went to live in England and became a famous and prolific writer. One of his 28 books called "The Purple Cloud" is still considered a marvel of science fiction. In the fifties, a movie starring Harry Belafonte was made of this book. The poet John Gawsworth became the second king, called Juan. In fact, being a writer was the only condition for becoming king of Redonda. And here starts the big mess. Juan, a notorious drinker, used to hold court in a famous London pub called Alma.  . Whenever he couldn't pay for his glass of burgundy, he would sell a knighthood! Soon, there would be hundreds of knights and lords of Redonda. Dirk Bogarde and Henry Miller become part of this aristocracy, only to cite a few. Juan also tried to sell the kingdom three times: as a result, there are now about ten pretenders to the throne. After his death in 1970, his literary executor became the new king, Juan II. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the kingdom, Juan II organized a visit to Redonda on his yacht. A half drowned party climbed to the 100 feet summit, where the Redonda flag was planted and titles distributed to the participants. But Juan II became tired of being king. He told Bob Williamson, a writer that he had made a baron for designing his coat of arms that he wanted to abdicate. He had established a list of six writers as possible candidates for the royal succession. On the top of the list was a rich Spanish writer. Actually, the king had sold the Royal regalia at Sothbeys and the Spaniard had bought them all! Evidently, the king had promised to make him his successor! Much alarmed about this, Bob cried: "Shame! Millions of pounds sterling and thousands of lives had been spent kicking the Spanish out of the Caribbean and now you are planning to give some of it back?" Bob also reproached him that he had sold what belonged not to him but to the Nation of Redonda.  Having remnants of a family castle in Ireland, being owner of a boat and living in Antigua within sight of Redonda, Bob asked the king to be included among the candidates. And that was how Bob became the fourth king of Redonda, called Robert the Bold. With sixty loyal subjects, the new Monarch sailed to his kingdom, held a speech to the island birds and planted the new flag. Redonda even has its national anthem.
Bob has published eight books and over a thousand short stories. His Majesty plans to be a good king, strict but fair, and has released several royal edicts in order to protect and develop the island. Skipper can buy the royal flag of Redonda for a modest fee and will receive a beautiful certificate signed by King Robert himself. When in Antigua, go to Falmouth Harbour and you may enjoy the honor of meeting His Royal Highness, Robert the Bold.
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