Barbados has formally ended its relationship with the British monarchy. Last night, the Caribbean island nation celebrated its new form of government as a republic.
Barbados gained independence from Great Britain in 1966. Last night, on the 55th anniversary of independence, the country's former Governor-General Sandra Mason was sworn in as the country's first president.
Barbados' decision was announced a year ago, by Mason himself.
“The time has come to fully leave our colonial legacy behind us,” she said at the time.
During the festivities in the capital Bridgetown last night, the world-famous artist Rihanna, who comes from Barbados, was also named a national hero, writes Reuters.
The Prince in place
However, this is not about cutting ties with the UK. Barbados remains part of the British Commonwealth, and Crown Prince Charles was the guest of honour at the handover ceremony.
Barbados' decision means that Queen Elizabeth is now the head of state in 15 countries. Whether more will be inspired to cut ties remains to be seen. In Jamaica, such voices have been raised.
“It is unlikely that Canada, Australia or New Zealand will be affected by constitutional decisions made in Barbados. But there could be some impact in the Caribbean region,” Aaron Kamugisha, a professor at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill in Bridgetown, told Foreign Policy.
Source: svt.se
