The World's newest Republic

Barbados formally declared itself the world's newest republic at the stroke of midnight, as the Caribbean island nation removed Queen Elizabeth II as head of state in a solemn ceremony Tuesday attended by her son Prince Charles.

Symbolizing the historic handover, the Royal Standard flag representing the queen was lowered during a ceremony inaugurating the current governor-general, Dame Sandra Mason, as the first president of Barbados.

"I, Sandra Prunella Mason, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Barbados according to law, so help me God," the new president said in taking the oath of office.

The new era for the nation of 285,000 ends Britain's centuries of influence, including more than 200 years of slavery until 1834.

A long-running pandemic curfew was suspended to allow Barbadians to enjoy the festivities, including projections at various points across the country and large fireworks displays timed to mark the historic transition.

"I remember in the old days we would be really excited about the Queen and Prince Charles and Princess Diana and royal weddings," Anastasia Smith, a 61-year-old nurse, told AFP.

"But I don't know if we ever quite saw them as our royal family. Now, everybody is talking about a republic. I'm not sure that anything about my life is going to change. But I think we're doing the right thing and it's a proud moment for Barbados."

The "Pride of Nationhood" ceremony itself was closed to the wider public but Barbados' most famous citizen, the singer Rihanna, took place alongside top officials for the event, complete with military parades, a mounted guard of honor and gun salutes.

- Colonialism and slavery –

Barbados, famous for its idyllic beaches and love of cricket, won independence from Britain in 1966.

In October, it elected Mason its first president, one year after Prime Minister Mia Mottley declared the country would "fully" leave behind its colonial past.

British officials said Charles would use his speech in Barbados to stress continuing ties between the two countries, including through the Commonwealth group of nations.

But there has been local criticism of the decision to invite Charles as guest of honor, and award him the Order of Freedom of Barbados, the highest national honor.

And Charles' visit was clouded at the last minute by another race row over alleged comments about his grandson.

His youngest son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan -- who has a black mother and a white father -- have said an unnamed royal asked how dark their unborn first child's skin would be.

A new book reportedly claimed Charles was responsible, which his spokesman dismissed as "fiction and not worth further comment."

- Relying on tourism -

Some Barbadians argue there are more pressing national issues than replacing the queen, including economic turmoil caused by the Covid-19 pandemic that has exposed overreliance on tourism -- which, ironically, is dependent on British visitors.

Unemployment is at nearly 16 percent, up from nine percent in recent years.

"I know it is something that we were going towards for a very long time, but I think it came at a time which is not necessarily the best time considering our economic situation and the Covid situation," said 27-year-old office manager Nikita Stuart.

In usually bustling Bridgetown, paltry numbers at popular tourist spots and a dead nightlife scene all point to a country struggling after years of relative prosperity.

For young activists such as Firhaana Bulbulia, founder of the Barbados Muslim Association, British colonialism and slavery lie behind the island's modern inequalities.

"The wealth gap, the ability to own land, and even access to loans from banks all have a lot to do with structures built out of being ruled by Britain," Bulbulia, 26, said.

Buoyed by Black Lives Matter movements across the world, local activists last year successfully advocated for the removal of a statue of the British Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson that stood in National Heroes Square for two centuries.

And the end of the queen's reign is seen by some as a necessary step towards financial reparations to address the historic consequences of the use of slaves brought from Africa to work on sugar plantations.

For many Barbadians, replacing the queen is just catching up with how the nation has felt for many years.

"The symbolism of being able to aspire to become head of state is so powerful," Mottley said last week.

"Our president-elect, who will be sworn in on Monday night... is the person who will bring immense pride to every Barbadian boy and girl."

SOURCE

Queen's Statement:

“On this significant occasion and your assumption of office as the first president of Barbados, I extend my congratulations to you and all Barbadians.

“I first visited your beautiful country on the eve of independence in early 1966, and I am very pleased that my son is with you today. Since then, the people of Barbados have held a special place in my heart; it is a country rightly proud of its vibrant culture, its sporting prowess, and its natural beauty, that attracts visitors from all over the world, including many people from the United Kingdom.”

“Over the years, our countries have enjoyed a partnership based on common values, shared prosperity, and close collaboration on a wide range of issues, including recent work on climate change. It is also a source of great satisfaction that Barbados remains an active participant within the Commonwealth, and I look forward to the continuation of the friendship between our two countries and peoples.

“As you celebrate this momentous day, I send you and all Barbadians my warmest good wishes for your happiness, peace and prosperity in the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ey5vNwlvNY

The Queen was represented by her son, Prince Charles who is seen as the future head of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Royal Standard flag lowered signifying the Republic's parting of ways with the Queen.

The Royal Standard is flown only when the Sovereign is present. If the Union Jack is flying above Buckingham Palace instead of the Standard, The Queen is not in residence.

When The Queen goes to Parliament, the Royal Standard flies from Victoria Tower.

Unlike the Union flag, the Royal Standard is never flown at half mast, even after the death of a monarch, as there is always a Sovereign on the throne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7ir5QA95_I

Sandra Mason, the first woman to be admitted to bar in the Country and the first person to be so elected President of the Republic of Barbados.

Barbadian singer, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, conferred with a "National Hero of Barbados" award.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPMCQc4Uf1Y

"May you continue to shine like a diamond" - PM Mottley

15 Countries where Queen Elizabeth II is Head of State, referred to as Commonwealth Realms

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and the United Kingdom.

The last time the Queen was removed as Head of State was in 1992 in Mauritius, however, other Carribean nations will be in close watch.

Jamaica PM, Andrew Holness has confirmed he will begin to seek review of the Country's Constitution by 2022. This is expected to signal a start to the process of making the Country a Republic.

Barbados became a British Colony in1627. From the 17th century, enslaved people were transported from West Africa and this continued until the beginning of the 19th century. Slavery was abolished in 1834, and Barbados remained a British colony.

In 1961, it attained full internal self-government, and full independence was gained on November 30, 1966.

Celebrations galore in Barbados:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEa9DepT6l0

Pix: Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Barbados on the eve of independence in 1966.

Yep. They all want independence but when they need money etc then it falls on the British and Chinese Government again.

This is long overdue, it good Barbados do not have to be influenced by the queen again...

Congratulations

Good

U

Fgg

Congrats to them, I'm patiently waiting for igede republic which will happen very soon.

The problem is that most black skinned countries that have gained their 'independence' are still under colonial influence.
We're still being ruled by the whites and their proxies, no independence.
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Good news

I hope it favours them on the long run.

Waiting for Canada and Australia

Eweeeyyyy!

Anytime I hear Barbados, na Rihanna dey first come my mind.

;

Good news.

.

Good, that's true Independence

Female president and prime minister.

The future of Barbados is female

Next should be those cocaine smuggling developers and brown roofed skull miners

Congrats, biafra next

peaceful farewell ....what about Australia, Canada, new Zealand and Jamaica
Britain should come back and recolonize Nigeria

They will soon join the league of other failed black nations as usual.


Black people need to sit down in sober reflection and ask themselves why they cannot govern their own black nations and lead their people to a communal progress devoid of tribal, ethnic and religious marginalization that breeds corruption, inequality, distrust, genocide, ethnic and religious tensions.



Until black people find solution to this, all black nations will continue to dance backwards while the rest of the world progresses.



Individual success is not equal to national success. That you have few or a handful of rich people who became rich by looting public funds, romancing with corrupt politicians to cury government favors, cutting corners and engaging in shady deals to amass dirty wealth does not make your nation a success.



A successful nation give every citizen the opportunity to succeed and prosper at their own pace without shortchanging their destinies