Although Barbados gained its independence on November 30, 1966, it continued to be a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of the state.
TFM Desk
At midnight on Monday, the Caribbean island of Barbados became the world’s newest republic, as it cut ties with the British monarchy after 396 years.
As a mark of removing Queen Elizabeth II as the head of the state, as the clock struck 12, the Royal Standard flag representing the Queen was lowered over a crowded Heroes Square in Bridgetown. National Cultural Foundation chief executive officer Carol Roberts-Reifer, made the declaration of Barbados’ transition to its new constitutional status.
Guests in the square applauded as Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as president by the chief justice and took the oath of allegiance to her country. Hundreds of people lining Chamberlain Bridge in the capital cheered and a 21-gun salute was fired as the national anthem was played. Barbadian singer Rihanna also attended the ceremony and was declared a national hero, according to reports.
“Republic Barbados has set sail on her maiden voyage,” Mason said in her inauguration speech as the first president of the country, recognising the “complex, fractured and turbulent world” it would need to navigate.
“Our country must dream big dreams and fight to realise them,” the former governor-general told those gathered for the ceremony.
A solemn Prince Charles was on hand to witness the transition at the handover ceremony. “The creation of this republic offers a new beginning,” he said in a speech to the ceremony. “From the darkest days of our past and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude.”
Barbados, which is said to have been made a ‘slave society’ by the British, first became an English colony when a ship arrived at the Caribbean in 1625. On November 30, 1966, Barbados gained its independence.