Queen Elizabeth to lose Barbados

The Queen is to be removed as the head of state of Barbados by November 2021.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced the Caribbean island’s intention to become a republic.

She said, “It is time to fully leave our colonial past behind. Barbadians want a Barbadian head of state.”

She continued, “This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving.

“Hence, Barbados will take the next logical step toward full sovereignty and become a republic by the time we celebrate our 55th anniversary of independence.”

The country gained its independence from Britain in 1966, though the Queen has remained its constitutional monarch.

In 1998, a Barbados constitutional review commission recommended republican status but no action was taken to implement it.

In 2015, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart said, “We have to move from a monarchical system to a republican form of government in the very near future.”

Most ex-British Caribbean countries have retained formal links with the monarchy after achieving independence.

Barbados would join Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica and Guyana if it proceeds with its plan to become a republic.

Jamaica has also announced it will become a republic. Prime Minister Andrew Holness says it is a priority of his government.