No longer head of state of Barbados
This is how Queen Elizabeth II reacts to the decision
Queen Elizabeth II is no longer Head of State of Barbados.
© Syd / Landmark Media / ImageCollect.com
Queen Elizabeth II is no longer the head of state of Barbados. The monarch now congratulated the republic on the upheaval.
The island state of Barbados has proclaimed itself a republic and thus finally turned its back on its past as a British colony. With the decision to introduce a female president in the person of Sandra Mason (72), the time of Queen Elizabeth II (95) as the official head of state of Barbados ended immediately. In a letter to her successor, the British monarch said “People” congratulated both Mason and Barbados on taking this step.
“On this important occasion, and in light of your taking office as the first female President of Barbados, I extend my congratulations to you and to all Barbadians.” Over the years there has been a common commitment to important values and “a wide range of topics, such as recent efforts on climate change,” is quoted from the Queen’s letter.
Important connection remains
At the same time, the Queen welcomed the decision that Barbados “will remain an active member of the Commonwealth”. The island state is following the example of numerous other members of the confederation. Of 54 Commonwealth countries, only 15 have the Queen as head of state.
Sandra Mason had already announced a year ago that this upheaval would occur, at that time still as the official representative of the Queen. The British heir to the throne, Prince Charles (73), was also present at the ceremony to witness this “new beginning”, as he called it in his speech. “From the darkest days of our past and the appalling cruelty of slavery that forever taints our history, the people of this island have made their way with extraordinary valor,” continued Prince Charles.