Queen Of England Congratulates ‘Beautiful’ World’s Newest Republic Barbados

Queen Elizabeth R. of United Kingdom has sent her good wishes to the Caribbean nation of Barbados upon its official translation into a Republic on Tuesday.

Barbados was colonized by Britain since 1627 and has been regarded as the UK’s oldest colony with Queen Elizabeth as the sovereign leader.

Barbados got its independence in 1966 but remained under Elizabeth’s authority.

The country, with about 287,025 people (2019 estimate) became ripe to stand on its own when its House of Assembly and Senate had on October 22, elected Governor-General Sandra Mason to be its first president.

In the Royal Family’s letter, the Queen advised the new nation to continue its partnership with the UK.

“I first visited your beautiful country on the eve of independence in early 1966, and I am very pleased that my son is with you today. Since then, the people of Barbados have held a special place in my heart; it is a country rightfully proud of its vibrant culture, its sporting prowess, and its natural beauty, that attracts visitors from all over the world, including many people from the United Kingdom.

“It is also a source of great satisfaction that Barbados remains an active participant within the Commonwealth, and I look forward to the continuation of the friendship between our two countries and peoples,” the letter partly reads.

In her inaugural speech, Mason assured the international community that the new republic was capable of defining its own destiny.

“Republic Barbados has set sail on her maiden voyage,” she said.

The development has been described by the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, as a brave act on the part of the stakeholders.

“Congratulations to the people of Barbados on becoming a republic, as you consign to the past a history of slavery and colonialism and look forward to a future of justice and prosperity for all,” he tweeted.