Barbados drops Queen as head of state to become republic

29 November 2021, 17:13 | Updated: 29 November 2021, 17:24

Barbados will become the world's youngest republic at midnight on 30 November
Barbados will become the world's youngest republic at midnight on 30 November. Picture: Alamy

By Seán Hickey

At midnight on 30 November 2021, Barbados will become the world's youngest republic, ending 396 years of British influence.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

In a ceremony on Monday evening, Barbados will remove Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and formally become a republic.

Prince Charles touched down in Bridgetown on Monday to represent the Royal Family at handover celebrations in Barbados.

The Prince of Wales will also receive the freedom of Barbados at tonight's ceremony for extraordinary service to the country.

Barbados is set to be the first former British colony to become a republic since Mauritius in 1992.

The current and last Governor-General of Barbados Dame Sandra Mason will take over as the Caribbean island's first president at midnight on 30 November 2021.

Queen Elizabeth II on her final state visit to Barbados in 1989
Queen Elizabeth II on her final state visit to Barbados in 1989. Picture: Alamy

Barbados to remove Queen as head of state

She became president-elect by majority in the upper and lower houses of the Bajan legislature after receiving support from both the Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and opposition leader Bishop Joseph Atherley.

Read more: Maajid Nawaz's drastic proposal to 'modernise' Britain

Barbados came under English influence 396 years ago after John Powell arrived in 1625. It then had its first settlement in 1927 near Holetown, formerly Jamestown.

Barbados' last Governor-General Dame Sandra Mason with The Queen
Barbados' last Governor-General Dame Sandra Mason with The Queen. Picture: Alamy
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in Barbados during their Caribbean tour in 1977
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in Barbados during their Caribbean tour in 1977. Picture: Alamy

Read more: 'This rotten institution needs to go', says anti-monarchy campaign group Republic

The island received full internal self-government in 1961, with independence being won in 1966.

The Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley has said it will be "great" that Barbados will have a woman as their first president.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holmes has announced that the Jamaican constitution will undergo a major review next year as Barbados prepares for full independence.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Priti Patel has been named shadow foreign secretary

Kemi Badenoch names Priti Patel shadow foreign secretary as she continues to build leadership team

Bridget Phillipson has confirmed the tuition fee rise

University tuition fees to rise for first time in eight years, as Tories accuse Labour of 'declaring war on students'

Sara Sharif had suffered dozens of injuries in the weeks leading up to her death, a court has heard

Video of Sara Sharif smiling and dancing 'days before murder' shown to court

Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers that no Tube services are expected on Thursday 7 November

November Tube strikes to bring London to a halt this week despite RMT calling off action

Stuart Gogg during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Scotland in Saint-Denis, 26 February 2023

Former Scotland rugby captain pleads guilty to domestic abuse over five-year period against former partner

Kie Joyce, 21, was sentenced for his role in at least 35 phone thefts.

WATCH: Moment phone snatchers are arrested in London chicken shop after spree of thefts

One of two assassination attempts made towards the former President was carried out in Pennsylvania

Trump says he would not 'mind' if journalists were shot at Pennsylvania rally

A 10-year-old girl who was mauled to death by her family's dog had a 'close, loving relationship' with the pet that killed her, police have said.

'Devastated' family pay tribute to 'wonderful' 10-year-old girl mauled to death by pet dog

Trump has been fixated on crowd sizes throughout this election cycle

Trump's latest crowd size brag backfires as camera pans to reveal sea of empty seats

Harris overtakes Trump in new polls as VP's rally is moved due to safety concerns on eve of 'knife-edge' US election

Harris overtakes Trump in new polls as VP's rally is moved due to safety concerns on eve of 'knife-edge' US election

Tuition fees are set to rise with inflation

Government set to increase university tuition fees for first time in eight years

Kris Finney has been missing since Thursday

British man missing in Tenerife not seen for three days as Foreign Office issues statement

A 'severed head' was discovered in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Partygoers mistook severed head for Halloween prank after 74-year-old man 'decapitated' in 'tragic' Edinburgh incident

Barcelona issued with 'extreme danger' flood warning - as fresh rain leaves airport submerged and flights cancelled

Barcelona issued with 'extreme danger' flood warning - as fresh rain leaves airport submerged and flights cancelled

Police have launched an appeal to find missing artist Sarah Cunningham after she vanished in the early hours of Saturday in Camden.

Police searching for missing artist Sarah Cunningham find body on tracks

Deliveroo reveals its most ordered dishes with chicken wings, Caesar salads and a whole cucumber leading the list

Deliveroo reveals its most ordered dishes with chicken wings, Caesar salad and a whole cucumber leading the list