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Dame Sandra Mason, the Governor General of Barbados, has announced that the Kingdom of Barbados will become a Republic, removing Queen Elizabeth II as the Queen of Barbados, on the 55th anniversary of its Independence in November 2021.
Barbados to become republic, remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state by November 2021 when nation marks 55th anniversary of independence, announces Dame Sandra Mason, Governor General and the Queen's domestic rep, in outlining upcoming priorities of @miaamormottley admin. pic.twitter.com/M5YIAWXrsV
— Jovan Johnson (@jovanthony) September 15, 2020
Barbados to become republic, remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state by November 2021 when nation marks 55th anniversary of independence, announces Dame Sandra Mason, Governor General and the Queen's domestic rep, in outlining upcoming priorities of @miaamormottley admin. pic.twitter.com/M5YIAWXrsV
— Jovan Johnson (@jovanthony) September 15, 2020In a speech today, Dame Sandra said:
The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind. Barbadians want a Barbadian Head of State. This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving. Barbados will take the next logical step toward full sovereignty and become a Republic by the time we celebrate our 55th Anniversary of Independence.”
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The Queen is the monarch of 16 countries, which include the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Belize as well as Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean. One of the last Royal Visits to Barbados was in 2016, when it was visited by Prince Harry, while the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visited in 2019.
The Kingdom of Barbados becomes a Republic
I am actually very sad to hear this – even though the Barbadians have of course every right to decide over their own system of government. Have there been a referendum on this, or is it something that has been decided by the politicians?
I believe they did vote on it. This is their wish, and they’re not parting acrimoniously. On the contrary, Barbados will belong to the Commonwealth of Nations and will keep their ties to the UK and the rest of the Commonwealth countries. I wish them well.