Published 29 November 2021
Basseterre
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Loop Caribbean News
The heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, arrived at the Grantley Adams International Airport late Sunday for a two-day visit as Barbados declares itself a republic.
The two-day trip will also see him carrying out a brief programme of engagements before returning to the United Kingdom on Tuesday.
According to political analysts, the visit is of significance as Barbados when removes the Queen as head of state – this means that Prince Charles will never hold that role, however, whenever he ascends the throne, he will be the head of the Commonwealth – of which Barbados will remain a member.
The transition to a republic will take place on the 55th anniversary of Barbados independence; a date which is already celebrated as a national holiday each year. There have been events throughout the country this month, starting on November 23, which will continue until November 30, including a Parliamentary Debate on the new Charter of Barbados, which was held on November 23 and 24.
The central event which Prince Charles will attend, to declare Barbados a republic and mark the inauguration of the President of Barbados will be at National Heroes’ Square in Bridgetown, beginning at 11 p.m. (local time) on Monday.
Once Barbados becomes a republic there will be 15 Commonwealth Realms left in the world – the United Kingdom, along with Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; The Bahamas; Belize; Canada; Grenada; Jamaica; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Solomon Islands; and Tuvalu.
