By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Herald ghanaThe Herald ghana
  • Home
  • General
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • Editorial
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Feature
  • Health
  • World
Reading: Barbados Becomes A Republic And Parts Ways With The Queen
Share
Aa
The Herald ghanaThe Herald ghana
Aa
  • Home
  • General
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • Editorial
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Feature
  • Health
  • World
Search
  • Home
  • General
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • Editorial
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Feature
  • Health
  • World
Follow US
  • Advertise
Copyright © 2022 The Herald Ghana. All Rights Reserved
World

Barbados Becomes A Republic And Parts Ways With The Queen

J N
Published December 1, 2021
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

Barbados has officially removed Queen Elizabeth II, as its head of state and become the world’s newest republic.

In an overnight ceremony in the capital, Bridgetown, Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as president.

The Prince of Wales and Barbadian singer Rihanna attended the event, which coincided with the country’s 55th anniversary of independence.

In a speech, Prince Charles acknowledged the “appalling atrocity of slavery” the Caribbean island suffered.

The new era for Barbados ends Britain’s centuries of influence, including more than 200 years when the island was a hub for the transatlantic slave trade.

More Read

Queen’s cause of death given as ‘old age’ on death certificate

How world leaders were bused to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral today
Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrives in Edinburgh, mourners line streets to pay their respects
Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral to be held on Monday, September 19

To signify the official change of power, a final salute was made to the British monarchy and the Royal Standard flag was lowered and replaced.

Speaking as the guest of honour at the event, Prince Charles reiterated the continuing ties between the two nations despite the constitutional status change.

He described the moment as a new beginning before being awarded the prestigious Order of Freedom of Barbados by the new president.

The Queen sent the country her “warmest good wishes” for “happiness, peace and prosperity in the future” and said the nation holds a “special place” in her heart.

Dame Sandra Mason, 72, the island’s governor-general since 2018, was named as president-elect of the nation following a vote in parliament last month. She now replaces the Queen as the head of state.

“Vessel Republic Barbados has set sail on her maiden voyage. May she weather all storms and land our country and citizens safely on the horizons and shores which are ahead of us,” she said after being sworn in.

Barbados announced its plan to become a republic last year, but it will remain within the Commonwealth.

Formerly known as the British Commonwealth, the Commonwealth of Nations is a loose association of former British colonies and current dependencies, along with some countries that have no historical ties to Britain.

Leading national figures, including Prime Minister Mia Mottley, swore allegiance to Barbados in front of the new president at the ceremony, which lasted for several hours.

She later announced that pop star Rihanna would be named a national hero by President Mason. The artist and businesswoman, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was previously named an ambassador by her home country in 2018.

“May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honour to your nation,” Ms Mottley said, in reference to one of Rihanna’s songs.

In the heat of a Barbados night, the handover ceremony has combined pomp and ceremony with one big party.

It has been a show of national pride with a sprinkling of this island’s most famous names as VIP guests including the cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers and the singer Rihanna.

In between them both sat the Prince of Wales. It must have been a moment of mixed emotions for him – he took the final salute and watched the Royal Standard lowered for the last time as his mother was removed as head of state.

He used his speech to emphasise the pain of slavery and the enduring friendship of the two nations.

The mood music from the royal household has been positive and pragmatic.

They can’t stop a constitutional shift but they can try to ensure positive relationships remain.

The country’s prime minister has described the move to a republic as a “seminal moment” which will see Barbados fully leave its colonial past behind.

It was one of England’s first slave colonies. English settlers first occupied the island in 1627 and, under British control, it became a sugar plantation economy using enslaved people brought in from Africa.

Slavery was abolished in Barbados in 1834 and the country became fully independent in 1966.

In his speech on Tuesday, Prince Charles spoke of the “appalling atrocity of slavery” which he said “forever stains our history”.

Before Barbados, the last nation to remove the Queen as head of state was Mauritius in 1992.

With a population of about 285,000 people, Barbados is one of the more populous and prosperous Caribbean islands.

Once heavily dependent on sugar exports, its economy has diversified but has been hit hard by Covid-19 hurting tourism and rising prices caused by supply chain disruptions.

You Might Also Like

Queen’s cause of death given as ‘old age’ on death certificate

How world leaders were bused to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral today

Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrives in Edinburgh, mourners line streets to pay their respects

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral to be held on Monday, September 19

J N December 1, 2021
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp Copy Link
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Cry0
Happy0
Surprise0
Angry0
Wink0
Previous Article E-Levy, John Boadu’s ignorance and reality
Next Article Emma Coronel: Wife Of Kingpin El Chapo Sentenced To Three Years
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Latest News

National Cathedral
National Cathedral not abandoned — Board rejects claims of conversion into cultural centre
General Major 1 July 9, 2025
Agradaa/Patricia Asiedu/Fraud/False Pretence/Nsawam Prison/Crime Check Foundation
Agradaa confirmed in Nsawam prison — Lawyer dismisses missing claims
General Major 2 July 9, 2025
UN Human Rights Council/SOGI Vote/LGBTQI
Foreign Ministry rejects media reports linking Ghana’s UN vote to LGBTQI endorsement
General Major 1 July 9, 2025
Gertrude Torkornoo/ECOWAS Court/Ghana/Right to Fair Hearing
“Ghana violated my right to fair hearing,” Torkornoo cries to ECOWAS Court
General Major 1 July 9, 2025
CurrencyRate

You Might also Like

World

Queen’s cause of death given as ‘old age’ on death certificate

September 30, 2022
World

How world leaders were bused to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral today

September 19, 2022
Major 3World

Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrives in Edinburgh, mourners line streets to pay their respects

September 12, 2022
World

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral to be held on Monday, September 19

September 11, 2022
Show More

Copyright © 2022-2025 The Herald Ghana. All Rights Reserved

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?