The Prince of Wales has arrived in Barbados for the final time as prince of the realm as the Caribbean country is set to become a republic.
Prince Charles arrived in Barbados shortly before midnight local time on Sunday, 28 November, on the RAF Voyager.
Upon arrival, he was greeted by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who invited him to Barbados for the ceremonies this week. According to Clarence House, he was invited as the future Head of the Commonwealth as Barbados will remain a member of the organisation.
A Guard of Honour also greeted the Prince at the airport and the national anthems were played.
The Prince of Wales will be in Barbados on 29 and 30 November.
Barbados will become a republic on 30 November – the country’s independence day – meaning The Queen will cease to be the country’s head of state. Sandra Mason, the current governor-general, will become Barbados’ first president – a largely symbolic role as the prime minister will hold most of the power.
Barbados’ parliament elected Mason last month after the country of around 300,000 people voted to become a republic last September. At that time, Mason said: “The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind.”
The ceremony inaugurating Mason as President of Barbados will begin at 11 pm on 29 November, with the ceremony to transition from a constitutional monarchy to a republic taking place the following day.
