Barbados becomes a republic, replacing Queen Elizabeth as head of state

Barbados replaced Queen Elizabeth as head of state and formed a new republic on Tuesday. For the first time, the Caribbean island will have its own president, severing bonds with England after 400 years.

At midnight, Barbados became a republic. Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, stood by as Queen Elizabeth’s royal standard was lowered and the new Barbados was declared.

"We the people must give Republic Barbados its spirit and its substance," said Sandra Mason, the island's first president. "We must shape its future. We are each other’s and our nation’s keepers. We the people are Barbados.”

Mason was elected last month by a two-thirds vote of a joint session of the country’s House of Assembly and Senate. Mason has been the governor-general of Barbados since 2018 and was the first woman to serve on the Barbados Court of Appeals.

"The creation of this republic offers a new beginning," said Prince Charles. "From the darkest days of our past and the appalling atrocity of slavery which forever stains our history, people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude."

Queen Elizabeth sent her congratulations to the citizens of Barbados. "I send you and all Barbadians my warmest good wishes for your happiness, peace, and prosperity in the future," she said.

The Caribbean island was seized by the British in 1627 and became independent in 1966. Barbados will remain a republic within the Commonwealth, but it might influence other former colonies to cut ties with the British monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is still the queen of 15 other realms, including Australia, Canada, and Jamaica, among others.  

“The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind,” said Mason. “Barbadians want a Barbadian head of state.”