The Queen is no longer head of state of Barbados: Rihanna is now an official national hero – members of the royal family
The Queen takes off her crown…at least on the island of Barbados.
The Caribbean country is no longer under the British monarchy, but is now a republic. With a new head of state: Justice Sandra Mason (72 years old) is henceforth the first female president of the former British colony.
For Queen Elizabeth II of England (95), her kingdom is shrinking. Barbados has been independent since 1966, but has since been part of the Commonwealth – a federation of several now sovereign states formerly under British rule. Canada and New Zealand are among them too, for example.
The Queen is no longer Head of State: Sandra Mason is the first female President of the new Republic of BarbadosPhoto: POOL / REUTERS
Prime Minister Mia Amor Motley: ‘It is time to put our colonial past completely behind us’Photo: Randy Brooks/AFP
For the people of Barbados, long enslaved by England, this is considered an act of liberation. However, the Republic wants to remain part of the Commonwealth of Nations and has chosen its 55th Independence Day for its new form of government. On Tuesday, President Mason was sworn in at an official ceremony in the capital, Bridgetown.
Distinguished Visitor: The Queen, Those who have recently had health problems, was not present at her transfer, but her son, heir to the throne, Prince Charles (73).
Like Prince Charles the Queen relinquishing her kingdomPhoto: POOL / REUTERS
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip (99) during their visit to Barbados in 1966: in the same year, the British colony gained its independencePhoto: picture alliance / Photoshot
In his guest address, he declared: “The proclamation of this republic means a new beginning and also a continuation. A milestone on the long road you have not only traveled, but built.”
National Champion of Barbados: Rihanna
And almost the most remarkable: star Rihanna, 33, came in in an orange and gold dress.
The world-famous singer was born in Barbados and has been proudly representing her country as an ambassador since 2018. Prime Minister Mia Motley has named her a National Champion. In the words: “May you continue to shine like a diamond and honor our nation with your work and deeds.” Medal for the Queen of Pop!
Pop star Rihanna (right) and new president Mason-singer and native Barbados named National ChampionFoto: picture alliance / empics
The flags are raised: for Barbados it is the dawn of a new eraPhoto: POOL / REUTERS
Unofficially, Rihanna was already a superhero in Barbados: There’s a street named after her in Bridgetown and a real Rihanna’s holiday is all over the country.
Nearly 300,000 people live on the Caribbean island and not all of them liked the Prince of Wales’ royal visit. Many remember the former slavery that prevailed on the island after it was colonized by England in the 17th century to grow tobacco and sugar cane: in 1816 there was a bloody rebellion that was put down by the British occupation.
Although slavery was abolished in 1834, the Barbadians never forgot their dark past.
Activists expressed their distaste for Charles’ whereabouts. David Denny, a demonstration organizer, said at “Mirror”.
His clear appreciation: “Prince Charles does not deserve any appreciation from the people of Barbados. He must apologize.”
“Coffee trailblazer. Social media ninja. Unapologetic web guru. Friendly music fan. Alcohol fanatic.”