Barbados sealed its divorce from the British crown.
The Caribbean island, known for its paradisiacal beaches, officially proclaimed itself a republic on Tuesday, no longer recognizing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.
Already independent from the UK for more than 50 years, Barbados celebrated its transition from monarchy to republican rule in a ceremony on Tuesday attended by Prince Charles.
Barbados, known to be the birthplace of world superstar Rihanna, is now headed by another woman, Sandra Mason, until then the country's governor general.
The latter was sworn in at midnight Monday evening in the capital, Bridgetown, during an official ceremony also marked by the replacement of the queen's standard with the presidential flag.
"I, Sandra Prunella Mason, swear to be faithful and to bear true allegiance to Barbados according to the law, with the help of God," said the new president.
"We will remain friends"
This ceremony was not open to the public but the curfew due to the pandemic has been suspended so that residents can enjoy the festivities, including screenings and fireworks across the island.
Barbados remains a member of the Commonwealth organization, however, as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson noted in a statement on Monday.
“We will remain staunch friends and allies, building on the enduring affinities and connections between our peoples and the special bond of the Commonwealth,” the Prime Minister wrote.
In Barbados, the Prince of Wales was caught up in a controversy that broke out over the weekend over remarks he allegedly made a few years ago about the skin color of the future children of the couple formed by her son Harry and Meghan Markle.
Critics targeting the British crown
These remarks, reported in a book to be published Tuesday, were denied by the services of Prince Charles: "This is fiction and does not deserve further comment," said a spokesperson for Clarence House.
Questions of British influence and racism were instrumental in Barbados' decision to become a republic, with the island still marked by the legacy of centuries of slavery.
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Critics were already targeting Prince Charles' invitation by Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who is to award him the island's highest honor, the Order of Liberty.
"The British royal family is guilty of exploitation in this area and yet they have offered no official apology or form of compensation for past wrongs," said Kristina Hinds, professor of international relations at the University of the West Indies at Barbados.
