The island of Barbados leaves British rule and becomes a republic

On Tuesday Barbados officially declared itself a republic, no longer recognizing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Already independent from the United Kingdom since 1966, Barbados celebrated the transition from monarchy to republican rule About four centuries after subjugation to British sovereignty.

Heavenly Beaches, the island known for its rum and the birthplace of world superstar Rihanna, has been headed by another woman, Sandra Mason, since she was elected in October, by indirect universal suffrage to the country’s governor-general.

Ms Mason was inaugurated at midnight on Monday in the capital, Bridgetown, and at an official ceremony the president changed the Queen’s standard with the flag. “I, Sandra Brunella Mason, with the help of God, swear allegiance to Barbados by law and uphold true faith,” the new president was sworn in.

“Special Commonwealth Link”

The ceremony, held in the presence of Elizabeth II and Rihanna’s son Prince Charles and Rihanna, was not open to the public, but curfew orders were suspended due to the outbreak, allowing residents to celebrate the festivities, including fireworks. Island.

“I’m not too excited about Barbados becoming a republic because people do not know we’ve become a republic,” says textile manufacturer Ian Trotman, who hopes an information campaign for residents should be taken up. Location.

Barbados is a member of the Commonwealth, as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson noted on Monday. “We will be strong friends and allies, building lasting relationships and connections between our people and the Commonwealth’s special bond,” Mr Johnson wrote.

In Barbados, the Prince of Wales was embroiled in a controversy over the weekend over comments he allegedly made a few years ago about the skin color of the couple’s future children, created by his son Harry and Megan Markle.

These comments were refuted by the services of Prince Charles: “This is fiction and unworthy of further comment,” said a spokeswoman for Clarence House. Questions of British influence and racism were instrumental in the decision-making of the Republic of Barbados, and the island is still marked by centuries of tradition of slavery.

“Harm of the Past”

Critics have already targeted Prince Charles’ invitation to Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Motley to be awarded the island’s highest honor, the Order of Freedom.

Christina Hinds, a professor of international relations at the University of the West Indies in Barbados, said:

For some activists, such as Firhana Bulbulia, founder of the Barbados Muslim Association, British colonialism and slavery were directly responsible for the inequalities on the island. “Differences in wealth, ability to own property, and even access to bank loans are all linked to structures created under British rule,” the 26-year-old argues.

“Body chains (slavery) are broken, we no longer wear them, but mental chains linger in our minds,” he says. But some residents point out that there are more urgent problems, including the economic crisis caused by the Govt-19 epidemic, which only underscores the country’s tourism dependence, especially from the United Kingdom.

Before the virus appeared, the crystal-clear island was visited by more than a million people each year. The serenity of the generally bustling streets of Bridgetown today, the number of visitors and the awkward nightlife testify to the difficulties of this pearl of the Lesser Antilles with a population of 287,000.

Unemployment is around 16%, up 9% from previous years, with government borrowing increasing to finance public sector jobs and job creation.