Fireworks filled the sky over Barbados on Tuesday as the Caribbean island nation declared itself the world’s newest republic, lowering Queen Elizabeth’s flag as it severed colonial-era ties to the British throne to the sound of jubilant gun salutes.
Dame Sandra Mason revealed in her inauguration speech as the first president of the country that the Republic Barbados has set sail on her maiden voyage while recognizing the “complex, fractured and turbulent world” it would need to navigate.
According to reports, the new era for the nation of 285,000 ends Britain’s centuries of influence, including more than 200 years of slavery until 1834.
The ceremony saw world leaders, including Britain’s Prince Charles who addressed the matter during the handover and acknowledged the mark slavery had left on the two countries.
One of the first acts of the prime minister, Mia Mottley, of the new republic was to declare Barbados’ most famous citizen, the singer Rihanna a National Hero of Barbados.
Barbados, famous for its seasides and love of cricket, won independence from Britain in 1966.
