(Barbados Today) The guest of honour for Barbados’ 55th Independence celebrations who will see the island’s transition from a Commonwealth realm to a parliamentary republic has arrived.
Charles, Prince of Wales, the heir to the British throne and the future head of the Commonwealth, descended from the Royal Air Force Airbus 330 at 11:46 p.m. to a red carpet welcome and a 21-gun salute for the monarch’s representative.
He was received by Dame Sandra Mason in the last hours of her role as viceroy of Prince Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth. She was joined in the welcome by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Foreign Minister Dr. Jerome Walcott, Minister of Maritime Affairs Kirk Humphrey and other senior Government officials.
The Prince of Wales will witness the inauguration of Dame Sandra Mason as the island’s first President in a ceremony that declares the world’s newest republic and severs almost 400-year ties to the British Crown.
On Tuesday, Independence Day, the Prince will attend the National Honours Ceremony at Golden Square, where he and President Mason will receive the country’s highest honour, the Order of Freedom of
Barbados.
