New start as a republic
Barbados finally separates from the British Crown
Judge Sandra Mason was sworn in as the country’s first woman president with a ceremonial parade and gun salute in the capital, Bridgetown
© Randy Brooks
Barbados has broken away from the British royal family. Prince Charles was one of the guests of honor at the ceremony. The heir to the throne also spoke about the horrors of slavery.
Barbados has been a republic since early morning – the Queen is no longer the head of state of the Caribbean island. The ceremony at the former British Crown Colony is a major topic in the British media this Tuesday. Not only because there are many people with Barbadian roots in Britain, but also because Prince Charles found such clear words about slavery there.
Before the eyes of the British heir to the throne, the royal yellow flag was folded and “Little England”, as Barbados is also known, renounced the crown. He was “deeply moved” because he was allowed to be a guest at the celebrations, emphasized Charles in his address in Bridgetown, the capital of the 285,000 island.
Barbados had become independent in 1966
Although Barbados had gained its independence from Great Britain 55 years ago, the Queen formally remained the head of state afterwards. Many people on the island are descendants of slaves who were brought from Africa to the Caribbean by the British Empire for more than two centuries until the abolition of slavery in 1834. The fact that Queen Elizabeth II is no longer the official head of state means for many citizens there the final separation from the colonial legacy.
Charles spoke on the National Heroes’ Square in Bridgetown, which was once called Trafalgar Square and on which the statue of British Admiral Horatio Nelson stood until a year ago. It had been removed from the central square by the government amid protests against racism and colonialism around the world.
“From the darkest days of our past and the appalling cruelty of slavery, which forever taints our history, the people of this island have made their way with extraordinary bravery,” the prince shouted to the people. “Emancipation, self-determination and your own government were your milestones,” said Charles. “Freedom, justice and self-determination were your guide.”
Prince Charles was the guest of honor at the ceremony in Barbados, with which the island state officially broke away from the English crown
© Randy Brooks
The first English settlers came to Barbados 394 years ago. Soon they enriched themselves by growing sugar through African slaves. In his 2016 book “The First Society of Black Slaves”, the Barbadian historian Hilary Beckles described the island between 1636 and 1876 as “the most systematically violent, brutal and racially inhuman society of modern times”.
From the Queen, who is now 95 years old, Charles sent good wishes to the nation that is now officially completely separated from Great Britain. During her tenure, Elizabeth II had to let numerous states go. Her territory has thus shrunk: In addition to the United Kingdom, she is now head of state of 14 instead of the previous 15 other countries, including Canada and Australia. According to observers, after the death of the popular monarch, other countries could turn away from the British crown.
The close ties between Great Britain and Barbados remain
Most recently in 1992, Mauritius, a Commonwealth member, broke away from the monarchy. The Commonwealth of Nations is a loose association of states that emerged from Britain’s former colonies. At the head of the organization is Elizabeth II.
However, Barbados will continue to have close ties with Great Britain. The country that lives heavily from tourism – and above all from British travelers – is currently suffering heavily from the corona crisis. Unemployment rose from 9 to currently almost 16 percent. Many people in Barbados were therefore of the opinion that there are currently more important issues than the – especially symbolic – final separation from London.
Rihanna is declared the national heroine of Barbados
Nevertheless – the event was celebrated with fireworks and salvos. Even the curfew imposed due to the pandemic was specifically suspended. However, the celebrations were not open to the general public. In addition to Prince Charles and senior officials in the country, Barbados’ most famous citizen, singer Rihanna, also attended. As one of her first acts, the new head of state, Sandra Mason, declared Rihanna a national heroine.
Shortly before, the royal standard had been obtained and Mason was sworn in as the new head of state. The previous governor general had 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 time.
“The Republic of Barbados has set sail for its maiden voyage,” said Mason in her address. Barbados must now navigate through the “complex, rugged and turbulent world”, said Mason. “Our country must dream big dreams and fight to make them come true.” Mia Mottley remains Prime Minister and thus head of government of the country.
The Queen herself also sent congratulations: she congratulated the President on her first day in office and sent best wishes for “happiness, peace and prosperity” to all people in Barbados, as the monarch wrote in a message.
See in the video: The Caribbean state of Barbados has made the transition to a republic with the swearing-in of a female president. The famous daughter of the country Rihanna was also honored on the occasion of the celebration.