Queen Elizabeth II has been removed as the head of state of Barbados with the Caribbean island’s becoming a republic.
The change was officially made at a midnight ceremony in the capital of Bridgetown on Monday, coinciding with the country’s 55th anniversary of independence.
Barbados will remain a member of the Commonwealth.
Dame Sandra Mason, 72, was sworn in as president. She was the island’s governor-general from 2018.
Prince Charles, the guest of honour at the event, acknowledged the ‘appalling atrocity of slavery’ suffered by the people of the island state, according to the BBC. The Prince of Wales emphasised the importance of continuing ties between the nations, despite the change in constitutional status.
The Queen sent the country her ‘warmest good wishes’ for ‘happiness, peace and prosperity in the future’, adding that Barbados held a ‘special place’ in her heart.