Barbados becomes the world’s newest republic · Global Voices
Barbados and UK grunge flag images by <PERSON> on Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
November 30 has long been marked as Independence Day in Barbados, but the 2021 celebrations will forever have special resonance, as it is the day the Caribbean island nation finally replaced the monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, as its head of state.
At the stroke of midnight, Britain's reigning monarch, <PERSON> ceased to be head of state and Dame <PERSON>, Barbados’ former governor-general, became the country's first president, as the Royal Standard was lowered in Bridgetown's packed National Heroes Square:
The Royal Standard lowered for the last time in Barbados, folded up, ready to be given back to the British Crown. All to the familiar tune of “Auld Lang Syne”. #barbados #republic pic.twitter.com/QIgzzETXsN
— <PERSON> (@richardgaisford) November 30, 2021
In September 2020, Dame <PERSON> had stressed that becoming a republic was a necessary step in Barbados’ journey to self-autonomy:
The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind. Barbadians want a Barbadian head of state. This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving.
Barbados’ former colonial masters appear genuinely happy for the country: the queen sent her congratulations, and <PERSON>, who enjoys a good working relationship with Prime Minister <PERSON>, was in attendance at the ceremony:
Congratulations ? to the people of #Barbados ?? for becoming #Republic and removing #British ?? <PERSON> as the head of the state after 400 years of colonial rule.
<PERSON> joins the inauguration of President elect <PERSON> who will be new head of state. pic.twitter.com/ipWRieREXN
— <PERSON> ? (@Beingsajiddarr) November 30, 2021
For some, like local columnist <PERSON> who wrote this piece for the UK Guardian, the move was a “seminal” one, at last representing the opportunity for the island to cast off the moniker of “Little England.”
For Prime Minister <PERSON>, though, it was as simple as understanding that “the president of Barbados is now someone that any Barbadian child can aspire to be—and that's so powerful”:
As #Barbados prepares to become a #republic, I spoke to <PERSON> to find out what the transition means for the country. 142
We’ll have lots more coverage on @BBCNews & @BBCWorld pic.twitter.com/pucTaPDMna
— Cele (@CelOlulode) November 29, 2021
As if in an effort to announce itself to the world and highlight what Barbadians are capable of accomplishing, star power was on full display with the attendance of pop icon <PERSON>, who was bestowed with the title of National Hero:
Amid the pomp & ceremony, <PERSON> has just been made a “National Hero of Barbados” #barbados #republic pic.twitter.com/fQ6OpInJdH
— <PERSON> (<PERSON>) November 30, 2021
Local social media users were delighted at the country's new status:
Welcome to the Republic of Barbados, after more than 200 years of slavery and 55 years of independence Dame <PERSON> is now our President and Head of State. #Barbados #Republic #Independence pic.twitter.com/FRY05lwhjV
— <PERSON> (@michelle_welch1) November 30, 2021
Some, however, made the point that it was a natural—and long overdue—progression:
I remain amazed at why our move to become a #republic is attracting this much fascination internationally. It is nothing more than the logical conclusion of our decolonisation process and frankly a move that should have happened at independence. #Barbados https://t.co/S4R3YPxGlY
— <PERSON> (@LicyLaw) November 29, 2021
Regional netizens, meanwhile, sent their congratulations, while others hoped their own countries might follow suit:
Barbados taking a huge step and doing the right thing. I hope the Bahamas follows suit someday. ? #Barbados #Bahamas #Republic https://t. 142