Barbados Holds Ceremony To Cut Ties With British Monarchy

The Caribbean Island of Barbados is now officially a republic.

At the stroke of midnight, Barbados cut its remaining ties to the British monarchy after nearly 400 years.

In a vibrant ceremony, the island removed Queen Elizabeth as their head of state and inaugurated their first president.

The royal flag was lowered and a new presidential flag was raised in its place.

Prince Charles was invited to speak at the event. He touched on the island’s dark past with slavery on through to their independence.