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The Queen congratulates Barbados on becoming a republic as island cuts ties with UK in glittering ceremony attended by Rihanna and Prince Charles - who brands slavery an 'appalling atrocity which forever stains our history'

  The Queen today congratulated Barbados on becoming a republic after a sparkling ceremony where Rihanna was given the highest Bajan honour ...

 The Queen today congratulated Barbados on becoming a republic after a sparkling ceremony where Rihanna was given the highest Bajan honour and Prince Charles condemned the 'appalling stain' of slavery.  

The Royal Standard was lowered in the capital Bridgetown in the early hours of this morning as the Caribbean island cut ties with the throne in London - 396 years after it first became part of the British Empire under King James I. 

Charles had flown into the tropical island as the representative of its head of state - but after the midnight ceremony in the capital Bridgetown, he is now simply a visiting dignitary after watching the new President, Dame Sandra Mason, being inaugurated. 

The handover of power was pointedly chosen on the anniversary of Barbados' independence from Britain in 1966 and the island's most famous star Rihanna jetted in to receive the honour of National Hero of Barbados - along with cricket great Sir Garfield Sobers. 

The Queen sent her own message to the island nation, telling them and their new president: 'On this significant occasion and your assumption of office as the first President of Barbados, I extend my congratulations to you and all Barbadians.

'I first visited your beautiful country on the eve of independence in early 1966, and I am very pleased that my son is with you today. Since then, the people of Barbados have held a special place in my heart; it is a country rightfully proud of its vibrant culture, its sporting prowess, and its natural beauty, that attracts visitors from all over the world, including many people from the United Kingdom.

'Over the years, our countries have enjoyed a partnership based on common values, shared prosperity, and close collaboration on a wide range of issues, including recent work on climate change. It is also a source of great satisfaction that Barbados remains an active participant within the Commonwealth, and I look forward to the continuation of the friendship between our two countries and peoples.

'As you celebrate this momentous day, I send you and all Barbadians my warmest good wishes for your happiness, peace and prosperity in the future.'   

In his speech to mark the occasion, the Prince of Wales said slavery was an 'appalling atrocity which forever stains our history' as the baton was passed.  


The new president of Barbados, Dame Sandra Mason (seated right), watches on as Prince Charles addresses the crowd at her inauguration in Bridgetown this morning

The new president of Barbados, Dame Sandra Mason (seated right), watches on as Prince Charles addresses the crowd at her inauguration in Bridgetown this morning

Rihanna was one of the guests of honour and watched as Charles said he respected its government's decision to become a republic

Rihanna was one of the guests of honour and watched as Charles said he respected its government's decision to become a republic

The new president, Dame Sandra Mason
Prince Charles addresses the dignitaries as his mother is replaced as head of state

Dame Sandra Mason, left, was inaugurated as the first president of Barbados in a ceremony addressed by Prince Charles

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley (L) and President of Barbados, Dame Sandra Mason (R) honor Rihanna as a National Hero during the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony at Heroes Square

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley (L) and President of Barbados, Dame Sandra Mason (R) honor Rihanna as a National Hero during the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony at Heroes Square

The singer Rihanna was awarded the honour of National Hero of Barbados under her full name Robyn Rihanna Fenty as part of the festivities

The singer Rihanna was awarded the honour of National Hero of Barbados under her full name Robyn Rihanna Fenty as part of the festivities

Charles is seated in National Heroes Square in Barbados's capital Bridgetown as the ceremony got underway at midnight

Charles is seated in National Heroes Square in Barbados's capital Bridgetown as the ceremony got underway at midnight

Dame Sandra is sworn in as the first President of Barbados after the country became a republic and removed the Queen as its head of state earlier this morning

Dame Sandra is sworn in as the first President of Barbados after the country became a republic and removed the Queen as its head of state earlier this morning

The Queen's Royal Standard is lowered for the final time
Dame Sandra Mason becomes Barbados's first president in a ceremony taking place in Bridgetown this morning

Dame Sandra Mason becomes Barbados's first president in a ceremony taking place in Bridgetown this morning that saw the Queen's Royal Standard lowered for the final time (left) and replaced by a new presidential flag (right)

The Queen's standard is lowered for the final time in Barbados this morning as the island nation becomes a republic

The Queen's standard is lowered for the final time in Barbados this morning as the island nation becomes a republic

Dame Sandra is seated in a chair previously occupied by Prince Charles after being sworn in an Barbados's first president

Dame Sandra is seated in a chair previously occupied by Prince Charles after being sworn in an Barbados's first president

Rihanna thanking Dame Sandra after having the honour of National Hero conferred on her during this morning's ceremony

Rihanna thanking Dame Sandra after having the honour of National Hero conferred on her during this morning's ceremony

Barbados' new President Sandra Mason and singer Rihanna stand during the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony to mark the birth of a new republic in Barbados

Barbados' new President Sandra Mason and singer Rihanna stand during the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony to mark the birth of a new republic in Barbados

Rihanna at this morning's ceremony
Prince Charles greets Rihanna after she was made a National Hero in the ceremony

The singer Rihanna was made National Hero during the ceremony that saw Barbados inaugurate its first president early today

The military led the pomp at the first presidential inauguration ceremony in Barbados's history, 55 years to the day since the island won independence from the Britain

The military led the pomp at the first presidential inauguration ceremony in Barbados's history, 55 years to the day since the island won independence from the Britain

Prince Charles takes his seat at the ceremony where Dame Sandra Mason will replace his mother the Queen as Barbados's head of state

Prince Charles takes his seat at the ceremony where Dame Sandra Mason will replace his mother the Queen as Barbados's head of state

Prince Charles will always be a friend of 'special' Barbados
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Cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers embraces Rihanna - the only two living National Heroes of Barbados after the singer received the honour to mark the nation's independence. Both are now addressed 'The Right Excellent'.

Cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers embraces Rihanna - the only two living National Heroes of Barbados after the singer received the honour to mark the nation's independence. Both are now addressed 'The Right Excellent'.

A cultural celebration of Barbados, under the theme of 'Pride of Nationhood', was at the heart of the ceremony
A cultural celebration of Barbados, under the theme of 'Pride of Nationhood', was at the heart of the ceremony

A cultural celebration of Barbados, under the theme of 'Pride of Nationhood', was at the heart of the ceremony

There were wild celebrations at this morning's ceremony as well as parties across the island

There were wild celebrations at this morning's ceremony as well as parties across the island

But a planned protest against Prince Charles' presence in Barbados and calling for slavery reparations from the Royal Family was cancelled after the island's government denied them a permit to prevent the spread Covid-19. 


In his speech, the Prince of Wales said he respected its government's decision to become a republic, but was delighted it was remaining in the Commonwealth. 


'The creation of this Republic offers a new beginning, but it also marks a point on a continuum, a milestone on the long road you have not only travelled, but which you have built', he said.

'From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude. Emancipation, self-government and Independence were your way-points. Freedom, justice and self-determination have been your guides. Your long journey has brought you to this moment, not as your destination, but as a vantage point from which to survey a new horizon.' 

Chinese pressure is said to be fuelling a drive to remove the Queen as head of state in Barbados, British MPs have repeatedly warned. 

Beijing has pumped at least $490million dollars into the island's tourism industry in recent years - and even more in low interest loans. The money has forced Dame Sandra to deny China is the driving force behind ending 400 years of loyalty to the British crown since King James I without any referendum of the population. 

Fireworks lit the skies of Bridgetown after the ceremony, which also saw Barbados-born singer Rihanna given the rare honour of National Hero - one of only two living people to receive it alongside cricket great Sir Garfield Sobers.

'May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation,' Prime Minister Mia Mottley told the celebrity. 

Speaking after taking office, Dame Sandra - the former Governor-General, said: 'Republic Barbados has set sail on her maiden voyage.' 

She added: 'Our country must dream big dreams and fight to realize them.' 

And amid growing anger about historic racism, Charles had acknowledged the deep wrongs done when slaves were imported here for 200 years until 1834, to work on lucrative British sugar plantations. 

Today, the prince is due to visit the island's respected national archives - stuffed with evidence of the grim realities of slavery. It was only thanks to the labours of slaves that the hard work of sugar cane production could be so profitably carried out.


It has been suggested Beijing has been buying up Barbados after heavy Chinese investment on the island. China built the Confucius Institute at the University of the West Indies as well as sold electric buses and shipped Covid jabs to Barbados

China has pumped at least $7billion in investment into the Caribbean since 2005, records show, though the true figure - when taking into account soft loan deals and private investment - is thought to run well into the tens of billions. Showpiece projects have included a cricket stadium in Grenada, a casino and resort in the Bahamas, and acquiring Jamaica's largest port. Barbados has received around $490million worth of investment so far

China has pumped at least $7billion in investment into the Caribbean since 2005, records show, though the true figure - when taking into account soft loan deals and private investment - is thought to run well into the tens of billions. Showpiece projects have included a cricket stadium in Grenada, a casino and resort in the Bahamas, and acquiring Jamaica's largest port. Barbados has received around $490million worth of investment so far

Laos, Sierra Leone, and Guinea having received more than their entire GDP in investment from China

Laos, Sierra Leone, and Guinea having received more than their entire GDP in investment from China

Barbados becomes a republic after almost 400 years
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The scene in Bridgetown, Barbados, this morning as Charles attended a ceremony to usher in its new era as a republic

Locals joined in a 'Pride of Nationhood' celebration on Monday evening, the country's last day with the Queen as head of state

Locals joined in a 'Pride of Nationhood' celebration on Monday evening, the country's last day with the Queen as head of state

Bridgetown was in party spirit late on Monday ahead of the swearing in of Dame Sandra Mason as the nation's first president

Bridgetown was in party spirit late on Monday ahead of the swearing in of Dame Sandra Mason as the nation's first president

Proud Barbadian and West Indies cricket great Sir Garfield Sobers, 85, is greeted at the presidential inauguration in Bridgetown

Proud Barbadian and West Indies cricket great Sir Garfield Sobers, 85, is greeted at the presidential inauguration in Bridgetown

There was no referendum on Barbados becoming a republic, and with the coronavirus meaning celebrations are muted and not open to the general public, there was little buzz about the switch.

In reality, it will mean little visible change for the 290,000 residents of this 170-miles-square nation, which lies in the Atlantic just to the east of the Caribbean.

The new president, Dame Sandra Mason, simply switches from her role until yesterday as the royals' Governor General - and the Queen's face had long disappeared from coins and stamps. The armed forces will simply be getting new buttons on their uniforms, and the island prison is no longer 'Her Majesty's'.

But a small group of campaigners are seizing the change as moment to demand far more, including reparations for the long-term harm caused by slavery.

Celebrations got underway the Barbados's capital Bridgetown ahead of the ceremony swearing in its first president

Celebrations got underway the Barbados's capital Bridgetown ahead of the ceremony swearing in its first president

Musicians taking part in celebrations with the theme 'Pride of Nationhood' which saw Barbados become a republic this morning

Musicians taking part in celebrations with the theme 'Pride of Nationhood' which saw Barbados become a republic this morning

Circus performers and entertainerstook to the streets of Bridgetown in a parade before the President was inaugurated today

Circus performers and entertainerstook to the streets of Bridgetown in a parade before the President was inaugurated today

Revellers in the National Heroes Square in Bridgetown celebrate the country becoming a republic, ending four centuries of ties to Britain

Revellers in the National Heroes Square in Bridgetown celebrate the country becoming a republic, ending four centuries of ties to Britain

The Queen is pictured meeting Dame Sandra Mason in a file picture. Dame Sandra will replace the Queen as head of state

The Queen is pictured meeting Dame Sandra Mason in a file picture. Dame Sandra will replace the Queen as head of state

According to island historian Hilary Beckles, chairman of the Caribbean Community Reparations Commission, Barbados was 'Britain's first 'black slave society', the most systematically violent, brutal and racially inhumane society of modernity.'

And activists argue that the royal family is deeply implicated in the slave trade. They note that the Queen's ancestor King George IV in 1824 proclaimed slaves were expected to display 'dutiful obedience to their masters', and claim Kensington Palace was built with sugar trade profits.

Prince Charles and the British government have no plans to make such a commitment, beyond promising continuing charitable work from the Prince's Trust and relatively small sums to help infrastructure.

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