Prince Charles Lands In Barbados After Island Cuts Ties With The U.K. — Photos
Prince Charles arrived in Barbados on Monday, November 29, where he will spend two nights on the island. After the country cut ties with the monarchy, Dame Sandra Mason, who is the current governor-general, will be sworn in as president this week.
Mason will replace the Queen as head of state on Tuesday, November 30.
Scroll through the photos below to see Charles' visit.
Charles, who wore a blue suit, sported a face mask as he got off the plane and posed with others.
"The Prince of Wales arrives in Barbados ahead of events to mark Barbados' transition to a Republic within a Commonwealth," a caption read via Clarence House's Instagram Story.
Earlier this month, it was announced that the 73-year-old would be making the trip. “The Prince of Wales will visit Barbados to mark Barbados’ transition to a Republic within the Commonwealth," the statement read. “As future Head of the Commonwealth, HRH has been invited by Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, to be Guest of Honour at the Republic Celebration events.”
In September 2020, the country announced they would become a republic. “The Queen knows the world changes and moves on, Barbados is a symbol of that and she rolls with it," a source told The Times. “But there will be a tinge of reflection and sadness, as it is severing another link with the past.”
A royal aide said: “As Her Majesty embraced independence and welcomed countries to the Commonwealth, the Prince of Wales’ presence and the message that will be sent to the president from Her Majesty, shows it is a respected decision. They may have moved out of the street but they are still very much in the community.”
Prince Charles is expected to make a profound speech on Monday night. “As your constitutional status changes, it was important to me that I should join you to reaffirm those things which do not change,” he is expected to say.
Charles will reportedly touch on the “close and trusted partnership between Barbados and the United Kingdom as vital members of the Commonwealth; our common determination to defend the values we both cherish and to pursue the goals we share; and the myriad connections between the people of our countries — through which flow admiration and affection, co-operation and opportunity —strengthening and enriching us all.”