Prince Charles (archive image): Guest of Honor of the Republican celebrations
Photo: CARL COURT / AFP
Prince Charles travels to the former British colony of Barbados for the monarchy abolition ceremony in late November.
The British heir to the throne will attend the celebrations as a guest of honor at the invitation of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, his office said on Friday.
Barbados officially becomes a republic on November 30th, and Charles' mother Queen Elizabeth II loses her status as head of state.
Great Britain took possession of the Caribbean island in 1625.
In 1966 Barbados gained independence, but the Queen remained head of state at that time.
As in some other Commonwealth countries, it has so far been represented locally by a governor-general.
The incumbent Governor General Sandra Mason announced the formal break with the British Crown in September 2020.
"It is time to put our colonial past completely behind us," she said.
At the end of November, Mason officially takes over as head of state of Barbados.
A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said at the time that this was "a matter for the government and the people of Barbados".
Prince Charles will now take part in the ceremony in his capacity as future Commonwealth head, his office said.
Barbados will remain a member of this loose association of 54 states.
The Queen is still head of state in 15 former colonies, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tuvalu.
wal / dpa