Barbados: Prince Charles reaffirms ‘trusted partnership’ as nation prepares to sever ties with Queen | world News

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The Prince of Wales will reaffirm “the myriad bonds between the people of our country” as he travels to Barbados for the ceremony of the Queen’s removal as Head of State and transition to the Republic.

Prince Charles, who said he thought it was “important” for him to attend the ceremony, arrived in Barbados late on Sunday, at the invitation of Prime Minister Mia Amor Motley.

The heir to the throne will deliver his address shortly after midnight as Barbados begins a new chapter in its history on November 30 – the 55th anniversary of its independence from Britain.

Prince Charles will say: “As your constitutional status has changed, it has been important for me to join you in reaffirming those things that do not change.

Photo: Charles will reflect in his speech on his personal relationship with the state. pic file

“For example, the close and reliable partnership between Barbados and the United Kingdom as vital members of the Commonwealth; our common determination to defend the values ​​we both hold dear and the pursuit of common goals; and the myriad connections between the peoples of our two countries – through which admiration flows And affection, cooperation, and opportunity—strengthen and enrich us all.”

Understandably, Prince Charles will reflect on his personal relationship with the country, which he first visited 50 years ago, in his address.

Other Commonwealth members will closely watch Barbados’ decision to remove the Queen as head of state, particularly in the Caribbean.

Last month, the island elected its first-ever president to replace the Queen.

Sandra Mason, the current governor-general or the Queen’s representative, will be sworn in as president before Prince Charles makes his speech.

Photo: Prince greeting Mrs. Motley at COP26

Announcing the transition to a republic last year, Ms. Mason said in a letter: “Having gained independence more than half a century ago, our country can have no doubt about its ability to self-govern.

It is time to leave our colonial past completely behind.”

Prince Charles will be awarded the prestigious Medal of Independence at a later transition ceremony.

This honor is awarded to those who have rendered exceptional service to the country, the Caribbean diaspora, or all of humanity.

But David Denny of the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration called the prince’s visit an “insult” and called for reparations to offset the slave trade.

Photo: Barbados, a former colony of the British Empire, gained independence in 1966. PIC: AP

Speaking to Sky News, he said: “We have called for protests so that the people of Barbados can express their solidarity together and demand reparations from the Royal Family, Richard Drax and all the businesses that would have profited from slavery.”

He added: “The Republic means a lot to the people of Barbados, and that’s why I tell you that what happens on the 30th is just building a republic, where we will make celebratory changes.

“But the idea of ​​a republic would be to create a greater level of people’s participation in decision-making in Barbados, to create conditions for economic and political democracy in Barbados, and to create conditions for self-government in Barbados.”

Announcing the trip, Clarence House said Prime Minister Motley had invited Prince Charles, as future Head of the Commonwealth, to be a guest of honor at events celebrating the birth of the New Republic.

Photo: Charles is expected to talk about his long-term relationship with the country

Barbados, a former colony of the British Empire, gained its independence in 1966, but has since remained a Commonwealth country, keeping the Queen as Queen.

It follows other Caribbean nations that have also dispensed with the Queen as their head of state, with Guyana becoming a republic in 1970, followed by Trinidad and Tobago in 1976 and Dominica two years later.

In recent years, Jamaica has also indicated that it wants an elected head of state, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness saying it is a priority for his government, but it has not yet achieved that.

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