At 00:00 local time on November 30, the Caribbean island nation of Barbados held a celebration ceremony to declare itself a newly born republic and no longer have the Queen of the United Kingdom as its head of state. The country's first election of a Barbadosian president marks the loss of another "territory" by Elizabeth II after nearly 30 years. Experts predict that this sends a signal to some of the other Commonwealth member states that still follow the monarchy.
Jurists take office as president
At midnight, the official celebration took place at the National Heroes' Square in the heart of the capital Bridgeton. Crown Prince Charles, the first heir to the British throne, flew to the island nation for the ceremony and watched as the Flag of the British Crown descended from the flagpole and a new flag was raised.
Moments later, Sandra Mason, a well-respected 73-year-old jurist, was sworn in as president of Barbados. 30 November coincided with the 55th anniversary of Barbados' independence from British colonial rule.
Sandra Mason (center) is sworn in as president
Mason completed his law degree in 1973 at the University of the West Indies (UWI), the country's only public university, and became a practicing lawyer in 1975. She worked as a lawyer at Barclays Before becoming a magistrate and tutor in family law, she became registrar of the Supreme Court in 1997.
After firing a 21-gun salute, Mason awarded Crown Prince Charles the country's highest honor, the Medal of Freedom, to "highlight the ongoing close relationship between Barbados and the UK".
Crown Prince Charles attends the Barbados celebration ceremony
Covering an area of about 430 square kilometres and a population of about 288,000, Barbados was occupied by the British in the early 17th century and became independent on 30 November 1966, after which it became a member of the Commonwealth, with the Queen of England as its head of state.
Barbados is known for its idyllic beaches, love of cricket and the birthplace of world pop diva Rihanna.
Remains in the Commonwealth
The last country to "depose" the Queen of England was the east African island nation of Mauritius, which announced a similar decision in 1992 but remained in the Commonwealth. Barbados, on the other hand, followed Mauritius' lead and continued to be a member of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth is made up of 54 member states, most of which were former British colonial territories, designed to promote international cooperation and trade.
The current Governor-General, Sandra Mason, elected by the Parliament of Barbados and appointed by the Queen of the United Kingdom, will become the first President of the Republic of Barbados. The post is essentially symbolic, and the Barbados State Administration is effectively headed by Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
Queen Elizabeth II (left) meets Mason at Buckingham Palace in 2018
Slavery was practiced in Barbados for more than 200 years during British colonialism, and it was not abolished until 1834. When Mason announced last year that Barbados would move from a monarchy to a republic, he said: "The time has come to completely break away from colonial history. Barbados needs a Barbadosian as head of state. ”
"Rooted in slavery"
Charles said it was important for him to witness the ceremonial handover. He also reiterated "the close and trustworthy partnership between Barbados and the UK as key members of the Commonwealth".
However, some in Barbados have questioned why the Queen's son came, noting that the island's historical relationship with the British royal family is "rooted in slavery". Danny, secretary general of the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, said: "The British Royal Family has benefited economically from slavery, and many of our African brothers and sisters have lost their lives in the fight for change. ”
In 1977, Elizabeth II inspected the honor guard upon arrival in Barbados
In 1625, when the ships of King James I of England first arrived off the coast of Barbados, the expedition claimed sovereignty over Barbados.
Richard Drayton, a professor of imperial and global history at King's College London, said Barbados was Britain's oldest colony. "It was the first 'laboratory' of British colonialism in the tropics, and Barbados was also an important source of British private wealth in the 17th and 18th centuries." Drayton added that many British aristocrats had gained considerable wealth from sugar and slavery.
Cynthia Barrow-Giles, a professor of constitutional governance and political science at the University of the West Indies in Barbados, said news of Barbados' "breakup" with the UK had a long history and that many had called for the removal of the Queen's status over the years. She argues that Barbados' aspiration to become a republic has been around for more than 20 years and "reflects the input of the whole island and its people in governance consultations".
Will other countries follow suit?
Drayton said Charles's attendance at the ceremony proved that the British Royal Family had no objection to Barbados' decision to become a republic, essentially endorsing it.
Through this amicable "break-up," Drayton believes other countries can follow Barbados' approach and that "this issue will now exacerbate the debate within Jamaica and elsewhere in the Caribbean".
Guy Hewitt, who served as Barbados' high commissioner to britain from 2014 to 2018, also predicted that more countries might choose to break with the British monarchy, but said it would happen after the end of Elizabeth II's reign "only because the Queen is so highly respected".
Nandu reporter Shi Minglei