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After about 400 years: Barbados seceded from the British crown, and became a republic
The Caribbean island celebrated its disengagement from the last colonial remains, and the ceremony was also attended by Prince Charles, an emissary of Queen Elizabeth.
"We must shape the future," said the first president of the republic, who has declared Rihanna a national hero.
Prince Charles: "Opportunity for a New Beginning"
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Tuesday, 30 November 2021, 07:47
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Barbados tonight (Tuesday) officially became a republic, disengaging from the British Crown almost 400 years after the first English ships arrived in the Caribbean.
It was the last remnant of the colonial rule in the country, which was symbolically headed by the kings of Britain even after its independence.
The new republic will be headed by its president, Sandra Mason, and the regime change ceremony in the capital, Bridgetown, was attended by the heir to the United Kingdom and the son of Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles.
A barrage of 21 rifles greeted the new Republic, and many citizens cheered in Heroes' Square.
"We the people must give the Republic of Barbados its spirit and substance," the President declared.
"We must shape its future. We are the guardians of each other and of our nation. We, the people, are Barbados."
Barbados, home to some 287,000 people, sees the removal of Queen Elizabeth - who still serves as a queen in 15 different countries, including Britain, Australia, Canada and Jamaica - as a way to open a new page in its history, 55 years after it gained independence.
Opponents of the monarchy hope that Barbados' disengagement from the British kingdom will advance a discussion of similar proposals in other countries that were formerly colonies of the British Empire.
"Creating this republic is an opportunity for a fresh start," Prince Charles said.
"From the darkest days of our past and the horrific horrors of slavery, which will always remain a stain in our history, the people of this island have forged their way with extraordinary daring."
Queen Elizabeth sent her "warmest" congratulations.
"We, the people, Barbados."
The first president at the declaration ceremony for the establishment of the republic, tonight (Photo: Reuters)
After a performance of Barbadian dances and songs, completed with speeches celebrating the end of colonialism, Barbadian singer Rihanna was declared a national heroine by Prime Minister Mia Motley, the leader of the Republican movement.
While Britain acknowledges slavery crimes, some islanders are demanding compensation from it.
Activist David Danny celebrated the founding of the new republic, but said he opposed Prince Charles' visit in light of the Alliance Crown's involvement in the slave trade.
"Our movement would also like to see the royal family pay compensation," he said.
Others wondered about the significance or importance of the establishment of the republic.
"Queen Elizabeth should have been left to be the boss, I do not understand why we should be a republic," said 45-year-old Sean Williams.
Send greetings from Queen Elizabeth.
Prince Charles at the ceremony tonight (Photo: Reuters)
A national heroine has been declared.
Singer Rihanna at the ceremony, tonight (Photo: Reuters)
Since the English ship claimed the island for King James I in 1625, Barbados has within a few decades become a major center of slavery.
About 600,000 slaves were brought to the island between 1627 and 1833, and were forced to work in sugar, tobacco and cotton plantations that yielded large profits for the English landowners.
Barbados will remain a republic as part of the Commonwealth, a group of 54 countries across Africa, Asia, America and Europe.
The last time the Queen was deposed was in 1992, when the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean declared itself a republic.
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