“Hence, Barbados will take the next logical step toward full sovereignty and become a Republic by the time we celebrate our 55th Anniversary of Independence.”
Asked to comment on the Commonwealth country’s plans a palace spokesman said: “This is a matter for the Government and people of Barbados.”
The 53-country organisation includes 16 countries where the British monarch is officially the head of state, including Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Barbados.
It’s a remnant of the British Empire, which today exists mainly as a trade and political organisation.
It has few formal powers but carries a huge weight of symbolism.
Many of these countries were part of the empire against their will, and almost all declared independence long ago.
