Barbados has officially removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and became a republic.

In an overnight ceremony on Monday, November 29, in the capital of Bridgetown, Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as president in the ceremony coinciding with the country’s 55th anniversary of independence.

Singer Rihanna, who is from Barbados attended the event alongside the Prince of Wales, Charles, who represented the Queen.
In a speech, Prince Charles acknowledged the “appalling atrocity of slavery” the Caribbean island suffered while stating it was time for the Island to move ahead as a republic.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Barbados 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.

Before Barbados, which has a population of about 285,000 people, the last nation to remove the Queen as head of state was Mauritius in 1992.

Source: https://neusicmedia.com/news/rihanna-honored-as-barbados-becomes-a-republic-officially-removing-queen-elizabeth-ii-as-head-of-statephotos/

this queen Elizabeth gotta be the best Queen ever her records, history only says good things about her

I think there are more countries I don't know than I know.Once heard of it owing to the fact Rihanna is a citizen there. Nice one indeed.

That's my girl Riri. Barbados seems to be a nice place to migrate to

Rihanna a national Hero?
She's worth it.

Deborah98:
I think there are more countries I don't know than I know.Once heard of it owing to the fact Rihanna is a citizen there. Nice one indeed.

there are lots of countries on the Island and many Carribbean countries. And these countries are barely productive.
Infact as a Nigerian passport holder u don't need a VISA to go there.

shawnfamous:
there are lots of countries on the Island and many Carribbean countries. And these countries are barely productive.
Infact as a Nigerian passport holder u don't need a VISA to go there.

You donminit ...

Deborah98:
You donminit ...

I tell u

iamtardey:
this queen Elizabeth gotta be the best Queen ever her records, history only says good things about her

after raping the country blind for decades/generations, what do you expect from a monarchy where their business practices and control is still present?!

here is a clue: if brits are still the owner of all the major infrastructure/ressources etc then the queen handing back the country is BULLSHIIIIT! let them hand over the stolen lands, the stolen ressources and infrastructures too; let them pay reparations for the genocide of the ARAWAK etc.

riri with the freshest kpekus

k

shawnfamous:
there are lots of countries on the Island and many Carribbean countries. And these countries are barely productive.
Infact as a Nigerian passport holder u don't need a VISA to go there.

Lol. Same Nigeria passport wet fit enter there with visa in arrival but no fit enter Canada , Do you know Barbados passport enters Canada, Chile, UK and about 180+ 1st class countries without visa? Can ur said big country enter such countries without queueing for visas. I laugh at some of people's comment here sha. Many don't know that bajan passport ranks 21st worldwide.

slimanyd:


Lol. Same Nigeria passport wet fit enter there with visa in arrival but no fit enter Canada , Do you know Barbados passport enters Canada, Chile, UK and about 180+ 1st class countries without visa? Can ur said big country enter such countries without queueing for visas. I laugh at some of people's comment here sha. Many don't know that bajan passport ranks 21st worldwide.

u are trying to tell me what I already know and what u just said is entirely different from what I'm saying. U are knowledgeable, it's obvious but us it rightly.