View source for Monarchy of Barbados

{{short description|Head of state of Barbados from 1966 to 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox monarchy
| royal_title        = Queen 
| realm              = Barbados
| coatofarms         = Coat of arms of Barbados (3).svg
| coatofarms_article = Coat of arms of Barbados
| coatofarmssize     = 110px
| image              = Queen Elizabeth II official portrait for 1959 tour (retouched) (cropped) (3-to-4 aspect ratio).jpg
| caption            = '''[[Elizabeth II]]'''
| his/her            = Her
| formation          = 30 November 1966
| abolition          = 30 November 2021
}}
The '''monarchy of Barbados''' was a system of government in which a hereditary monarch was the [[sovereign]] and [[head of state]] of [[Barbados]] from 1966 to 2021. Barbados shared the sovereign with the other [[Commonwealth realm]]s, with the country's monarchy being separate and legally distinct. The monarch's operational and ceremonial duties were mostly delegated to her representative, the [[governor-general of Barbados]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Constitution of Barbados|work=Government of Barbados|archive-date=30 November 2021|url=https://www.gov.bb/Government/barbados-constitution|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130083608/https://www.gov.bb/Government/barbados-constitution}}</ref>

The [[Barbados Independence Act 1966]] transformed the colony of Barbados into the sovereign state of Barbados, with [[Elizabeth II]] as head of state. She was the only monarch from the independence of Barbados to the monarchy's abolition. As such, she was officially titled ''Queen of Barbados''. The Barbadian Crown primarily functioned as a guarantor of continuous and stable governance and a nonpartisan safeguard against the abuse of power.

In September 2020, the Governor-General announced in the Throne Speech that Barbados would transition from a constitutional monarchy to a republic by the end of November 2021.<ref>{{cite web| title=Throne Speech Delivered September 15, 2020| date=15 September 2020| url=https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/download/throne-speech-delivered-september-15-2020/| publisher=Barbados Government Information Service| accessdate=2 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last1=Drayton| first1=Richard| date=29 November 2021| title=Barbados: the long road to the Republic| url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2021/11/29/features/in-the-diaspora/barbados-the-long-road-to-the-republic/| department=Features| location=Georgetown, Guyana| publisher=[[Stabroek News]]| publication-date=29 November 2021| accessdate=6 December 2021}}</ref> The monarchy was abolished on 30 November 2021, when Barbados became a [[Republics in the Commonwealth of Nations|republic within the Commonwealth]], with a [[president of Barbados|president]] as its [[head of state]].<ref>{{cite news| date=1 December 2021| title=Republicanism — a decades-long journey| url=https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/12/01/republicanism-a-decades-long-journey/| editor1-last=H.| editor1-first=D.| department=Top Featured Article| publisher=Barbados Today Newspaper0| publication-date=29 November 2021| accessdate=8 December 2021}}</ref>

==Origins==
[[File:Queen stamp Barbados.png|thumb|left|Coronation stamp, 1953]]

Monarchy in Barbados can trace its origins to the country's foundation as a colony, first of [[Kingdom of England|England]], then as part of the [[British Empire]]. Barbados was claimed under King [[James I of England]] in 1625, though not colonised until 1627, when, in the name of King [[Charles I of England|Charles I]], Governor Charles Wolferstone established the first settlement on the island.<ref name=BParlHist>{{cite web| url=http://www.barbadosparliament.com/history.php| publisher=The Barbados Parliament| title=Parliament's History| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523083154/http://www.barbadosparliament.com/history.php| archive-date=23 May 2007}}</ref> By the 18th century, Barbados became one of the main seats of British authority in the [[British West Indies]]. Due to the economic burden of duties and trade restrictions, some Barbadians, including the Clerk of the General Assembly, attempted to declare in 1727 that the [[Act of Settlement 1701]] had expired in the colony, since the Governor, [[Henry Worsley (diplomat)|Henry Worsley]], had not received a new commission from [[George II of Great Britain|King George II]] upon his accession to the throne. Thus, Barbadians refused to pay their taxes to a governor they recognised as having no authority. The Attorney and Solicitor General of Great Britain confirmed that Worsley was entitled to collect the dues owed. But, Worsley resigned his post before the directive arrived in Barbados.<ref>{{cite book| url=https://archive.org/details/historybarbados00schogoog| last=Schomburgk| first=Robert Hermann| title=The History of Barbados| page=[https://archive.org/details/historybarbados00schogoog/page/n360 318]| year=1848| publisher=Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans| location=London}}</ref>

After attempting in 1958 [[West Indies Federation|a federation]] with other West Indian colonies, Barbados continued as a [[self-governing colony]] under the [[Colonial Office]] until independence came with by Queen Elizabeth II signing the [[Barbados Independence Act 1966|Barbados Independence Order]] in 1966. The Barbados Independence Act 1966, passed by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]], transformed the Colony of Barbados into a sovereign state with an independent constitutional monarchy.<ref name=commons/><ref name=HT>{{citation| url=https://www.historytoday.com/archive/behind-times/barbados-and-end-monarchy| last=Gilmore| first=John T| title=Barbados and the End of Monarchy| date=2 February 2022| journal=History Today| accessdate=17 August 2022}}</ref> The Queen's cousin, [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent]], represented her at the independence celebrations.<ref>{{citation|page=16|title=The Iconography of Independence: 'Freedoms at Midnight'|isbn=9781317988656|year=2013|publisher=Taylor & Francis}}</ref> On Independence Day, the Prince opened the second session of the first parliament, on behalf of the Queen.<ref name=BParlHist />

==The Barbadian Crown and its aspects==
{{Further|Commonwealth realm#Relationship of the realms}}
[[File:05.BDF-WO2.svg|thumb|left|The insignia of a Warrant Officer Class II of the Barbados Defence Force featuring the [[St Edward's Crown]]]]

Since Barbadian independence, the country's Crown had had both a shared and a separate character, as the sovereign was [[Personal union|equally shared]] with the other [[Commonwealth realm]]s, while the sovereign's role as monarch of Barbados—represented by a [[viceroy]], the [[governor-general of Barbados]]<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602063720/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/TheQueenandBarbados/TheQueensroleinBarbados.aspx|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/TheQueenandBarbados/TheQueensroleinBarbados.aspx|title=The Queen's role in Barbados|archive-date=2 June 2011|work=Royal.gov.uk}}</ref>—was distinct to his or her position as monarch of any other realm, including the United Kingdom.{{#tag:ref|The [[Court of Appeal of England and Wales|English Court of Appeal]] ruled in 1982, while "there is only one person who is the Sovereign within the British Commonwealth... in matters of law and government the Queen of the United Kingdom, for example, is entirely independent and distinct from the Queen of Canada."<ref>{{cite court| litigants=R v Foreign Secretary, Ex parte Indian Association (as referenced in High Court of Australia: Sue v Hill [1999] HCA 30; 23 June 1999; S179/1998 and B49/1998)| vol=QB 892 at 928| court=English Court of Appeal| date=June 1999| url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/1999/30.html}}</ref>|group=n|name=ECApp}}<ref name=HT/><ref name=Buck1>{{cite web| url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4928.asp| author=Royal Household| title=The Queen and Commonwealth > Other Caribbean Realms| publisher=Queen's Printer}}</ref> Only Barbadian [[Minister of the Crown|ministers of the Crown]] could advise the sovereign on matters of the Barbadian state.<ref name=Buck1/> The monarchy thus ceased to be an exclusively British institution and, in Barbados, became a Barbadian, or "domesticated" establishment.<ref>{{Cite journal| last=Mallory| first=J.R.| title=Seals and Symbols: From Substance to Form in Commonwealth Equality| journal=The Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science| volume=22| issue=3| pages=281–291| publisher=Blackwell Publishing| location=Montreal| date=August 1956| doi=10.2307/138434| jstor=138434| issn=0008-4085}}</ref><ref>{{citation|page=205|quote=The Crown is an institution that has grown to become specific to the country in which it now finds itself planted. No longer just a British monarchy, the Crown is separately a Jamaican monarchy, Tuvaluan monarchy, Canadian monarchy, et cetera.|title=Canada's Constitutional Monarchy: An Introduction to Our Form of Government|year=2011|isbn=9781554889808|publisher=Dundurn|author=Nathan Tidridge}}</ref>

{{quote box| width=260px| border=1px| align=right|fontsize=88%| quote=Since you became an independent country in 1966, you have continued to flourish and grow into a strong and confident nation. The extraordinary talents of your people, from the cricket field to the music industry have been admired and recognised throughout the world.<ref>{{cite web|work=The Royal Family|url=https://www.royal.uk/message-her-majesty-queen-people-barbados-50th-anniversary-independance|title=A message from Her Majesty The Queen to the people of Barbados on the 50th Anniversary of Independence|date=30 November 2016}}</ref>| salign=right| source=[[Elizabeth II of Barbados]], 2016}}

This division was illustrated in a number of ways: The sovereign, for example, held [[#Title|a unique Barbadian title]] and,<ref name=titq/> when she was acting in public specifically as a representative of Barbados, she used, where possible, Barbadian symbols, including the country's [[Flag of Barbados|national flag]], and [[#Barbadian royal symbols|unique royal symbols]].<ref name=75ft/>  Per the Barbadian National Anthem law, upon arrival or departure of the sovereign or a member of the royal family, only the Barbadian national anthem (''[[In Plenty and In Time of Need]]'') was played.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.bb/Visit-Barbados/national-anthem |url-access= |title=National Anthem |author=Staff writer |date= |year= |orig-year= |department= |publisher=Government Printery of Barbados |access-date=3 December 2021 |url-status= |quote=The National Anthem shall be played - (a) for the purposes of a salute on ceremonial or official occasions, on the arrival and departure of: (i) the Governor General, (ii) the Sovereign or a member of the Royal family [ . . . ]|archive-date=28 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128120538/https://www.gov.bb/Visit-Barbados/national-anthem}}</ref>

A claim made by supporters of the monarchy was that it "keeps the line of stability open";<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.anglicanchurchworldwide.org/Barbados.html| author=Anglican Church Worldwide| title=Barbados| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515025435/http://www.anglicanchurchworldwide.org/Barbados.html| archive-date=15 May 2013}}</ref> the sovereign's residence outside the country meant legitimate executive power would be unaffected by any hostile invasion of Barbados or other event that might render the [[Table of precedence for Barbados|entire sitting government]] incapacitated or otherwise unable to function.<ref>{{citation| url=http://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf| author=Elizabeth II| title=Constitution of Barbados| page=37| id=IV.29(1a), (1b), (1c)| place=Bridgetown| year=2002| publisher=Government Printer| access-date=3 May 2015}}</ref> Such a situation did not arise; however, it may have helped had the [[Operation Red Dog]] invasion plot—which targeted the [[Commonwealth of Dominica]] and, likely, Barbados,<ref name=Nation>{{cite news| url=http://www.nationnews.com/Politics/26973.htm| title=Tull: Tell us about coup rumours| first=C| last=A| date=4 October 2006| newspaper=Nation Newspaper| access-date=4 October 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306065519/http://www.nationnews.com/Politics/26973.htm| archive-date=6 March 2012| url-status=dead}}</ref>—not been halted.{{#tag:ref|During the 1990 [[Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt]] in nearby [[Trinidad and Tobago]], all branches of government were successfully captured on the island, leading to the president and cabinet having to sign an amnesty to return toward governance.|group=n|name=Trin}}

===Title===
By a royal proclamation in the ''Official Gazette'' of Barbados in May 1967, the monarch adopted a separate title in her role as Queen of Barbados.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.archontology.org/nations/barbados/00_1966_td_s.php|title=Barbados: Heads of State: 1966-2021|publisher=archontology.org|access-date=22 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Once its future king, the Prince of Wales wakes up in Barbados a visiting guest|work=The Telegraph|date=30 November 2021|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2021/11/30/future-king-prince-wales-wakes-barbados-visiting-guest/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2021/11/30/future-king-prince-wales-wakes-barbados-visiting-guest/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The full Barbadian title of Elizabeth II was: ''Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of Barbados and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth''.<ref name=titq>[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/TheQueenandBarbados/Overview.aspx The Queen and Barbados] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308141755/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/TheQueenandBarbados/Overview.aspx |date=8 March 2015}}</ref>

This style reflected Barbados's status as an independent monarchy, highlighting the monarch's role specifically as Queen of Barbados, as well as the shared aspect of the Crown throughout the Commonwealth realms. Typically, the sovereign was styled "Queen of Barbados", and was addressed as such when in Barbados, or performing duties on behalf of Barbados abroad.

===Succession===
By [[Constitutional convention (political custom)|convention]], succession in Barbados was deferred to the laws of the United Kingdom; whoever was monarch of Britain was automatically also the monarch of Barbados. [[Succession to the British throne|Succession in Britain]] is, for those born before 28 October 2011, by [[Primogeniture|male-preference primogeniture]] and, for people born after 28 October 2011, by [[absolute primogeniture]], governed by [[common law]], the [[Act of Settlement 1701]], [[Bill of Rights 1689]], and [[Succession to the Crown Act 2013]].

Though these laws still lie within the control of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|British parliament]], the United Kingdom cannot change the rules of succession without the unanimous consent of the other realms, unless explicitly leaving the shared monarchy relationship, which has been likened to a [[treaty]] among these countries.{{#tag:ref|Justice Rouleau in a 2003 [[O'Donohue v. Canada|Ontario court ruling]] wrote that "Union under the... Crown together with other Commonwealth countries [is a] constitutional principle".<ref>{{cite court| litigants=O'Donohue v. Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada and Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Ontario| opinion=41404| pinpoint=paragraphs 3 and 24| court=Ontario Superior Court of Justice| date=26 June 2003| url=http://canlii.ca/en/on/onsc/doc/2003/2003canlii41404/2003canlii41404.html| year=2003|reporter=CanLII|vol=2003}}</ref>|group=n|name=Ont}} Barbados last indicated its consent to alteration to the line of succession in 2013, when the Barbadian Parliament passed the Succession to the Throne Act, 2013, which signified the legislature's acceptance to the British Succession to the Crown Bill 2013.<ref>{{citation| url=http://www.barbadosparliament.com/htmlarea/uploaded/File/Bills/2013/Succession%20to%20the%20Throne%20Act,%202013.pdf| author=Elizabeth II| title=An Act to provide for the Parliament of Barbados to acquiesce to alterations in the law relating to the succession to the Throne of the United Kingdom| date=2013| publisher=Government Information Service| location=Bridgetown| access-date=31 March 2015}}</ref>

==Personification of the state==
{{quote box| width=260px| border=1px| align=right|fontsize=88%| quote=Barbados would, forever, be indebted to Her Majesty for providing that powerful and necessary symbol of continuity and assurance by remaining as the Head of State.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.gisbarbados.gov.bb/index.php?categoryid=13&p2_articleid=7536| title=Barbados Grateful To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II| first=Julie| last=Carrington| date=23 February 2012| publisher=Barbados Government Information Service| access-date=24 February 2012| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506040203/http://www.gisbarbados.gov.bb/index.php?categoryid=13&p2_articleid=7536| archive-date=6 May 2012| df=dmy-all}}</ref>| salign=right| source=Michael Carrington, Speaker of the [[House of Assembly of Barbados]], 2012}}

The sovereign was regarded as the personification, or legal personality, of the Barbadian [[Sovereign state|state]]. Therefore, the state was referred to as ''Her Majesty in Right of Barbados''.<ref name=defact>{{cite web|url=http://104.238.85.55/en/showdoc/cs/159|archive-date=27 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127133131/http://104.238.85.55/en/showdoc/cs/159|title=Defence Act 1979|work=The Barbados Parliament}}</ref><ref name=treaact>{{cite web|url=http://104.238.85.55/en/showdoc/cs/155A|title=Treason Act 1980|work=The Barbados Parliament|archive-date=27 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127134744/http://104.238.85.55/en/showdoc/cs/155A}}</ref> The monarch, her position as sovereign, and not as an individual, was thus the owner of all state lands (called ''[[Crown lands]]''),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=328 |title=More homes on the way |publisher=The Barbados Advocate |date=2008-11-09 |access-date=5 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215152349/http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=328 |archive-date=15 February 2012}}</ref> buildings and equipment (called ''Crown held property''), as well as the [[copyright]] for all literary and artistic works (called ''[[Crown copyright]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/en/bb/bb037en.pdf|page=40|title=Copyright Act, 1998}}</ref> Government staff (the [[Civil Service]]) were also employed by the monarch or the governor-general, as were Supreme Court judges,<ref name="archive70">{{citation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025731/https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|url=https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|title=The Constitution of Barbados|archive-date=16 February 2018|page=70}}</ref> members of the [[Barbados Defence Force]],<ref name=defact/> [[police]] officers,<ref>{{citation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025731/https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|url=https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|title=The Constitution of Barbados|archive-date=16 February 2018|page=74}}</ref> and [[Senate of Barbados|senators]].<ref name="archive40">{{citation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025731/https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|url=https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|title=The Constitution of Barbados|archive-date=16 February 2018|page=40}}</ref>

The monarch was the locus of oaths of Allegiance,<ref name=ooa>{{citation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025731/https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|url=https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|title=The Constitution of Barbados|archive-date=16 February 2018|page=96}}</ref> required of many employees of the Crown, as well as by new [[citizens]], as per the Oath of Citizenship laid out in the Barbados Citizenship Act.<ref>{{citation|page=10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323175704/https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/87113/98976/F941454882/BRB87113.pdf|url=https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/87113/98976/F941454882/BRB87113.pdf|title=Barbados Citizenship Act|archive-date=23 March 2014}}</ref> This was done in [[reciprocity (social and political philosophy)|reciprocation]] to the sovereign's [[Coronation]] Oath, wherein she promises to govern the peoples of her realms, "according to their respective laws and customs".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oremus.org/liturgy/coronation/cor1953b.html|title=The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II}}</ref> The oath of allegiance in Barbados was:<ref name=ooa/>

{{blockquote|"I, ''(name)'', do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Her Heirs and Successors, according to law. So help me God."}}

==Constitutional role and royal prerogative==
[[File:Simplification of govt structure of Barbados.gif|thumb|right|300px|The structure of the Barbadian government, 1966-2021]]
[[Constitution of Barbados|The constitution of 1966]] gave the country a similar parliamentary system of government to the other Commonwealth realms, wherein the role of the monarch and governor-general was both legal and practical, but not political. The Crown was regarded as a corporation, in which several parts shared the authority of the whole, with the sovereign as the person at the centre of the constitutional construct,<ref name=Murdoch>[http://www.murdoch.edu.au/elaw/issues/v9n3/cox93.html Cox, Noel; ''Murdoch University Electronic Journal of Law'': Black v Chrétien: Suing a Minister of the Crown for Abuse of Power, Misfeasance in Public Office and Negligence; Volume 9, Number 3 (September 2002)]</ref> meaning all powers of state were constitutionally reposed in the monarch. The constitution required most of the Queen's domestic duties to be performed by the governor-general, appointed by the monarch on the advice of the [[Prime Minister of Barbados]].<ref name="Elizabeth II 2002 loc=IV.28">{{harvnb| Elizabeth II| 2002| loc=IV.28}}</ref>

All institutions of government acted under the sovereign's authority; the vast powers that belong to the Barbadian Crown were collectively known as the [[Royal Prerogative]]. Parliamentary approval was not required for the exercise of the Royal Prerogative; moreover, the consent of the Crown was must before either of the houses of parliament may even debate a bill affecting the sovereign's prerogatives or interests.

The government of Barbados was also thus formally referred to as ''[[Her Majesty's Government (term)|Her Majesty's Government]]''.<ref>{{citation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025731/https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|url=https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|title=The Constitution of Barbados|archive-date=16 February 2018|page=10A}}</ref> Further, the constitution instructed that any change to the position of the monarch, or the monarch's representative in Barbados, required the consent of two-thirds of all the members of each house of parliament.<ref>[https://theconversation.com/barbados-plans-to-remove-the-queen-as-head-of-state-without-a-referendum-is-that-a-wise-idea-146363 Barbados plans to remove the Queen as head of state without a referendum – is that a wise idea?]</ref>

=== Executive ===
[[File:Government House, Barbados, 1949, TNA INF 10-50-11.jpg|thumb|[[Government House, Barbados|Government House]], the residence of the governor-general of Barbados]]

One of the main duties of the Crown was to appoint a [[prime minister]], who thereafter headed the [[Cabinet of Barbados|Cabinet]] and [[Advice (constitutional)|advised the monarch or governor-general]] on how to execute their executive powers over all aspects of government operations and foreign affairs.<ref>{{harvnb| Elizabeth II| 2002| loc=IV.32(1)}}</ref> The monarch's, and thereby the viceroy's role was almost entirely symbolic and cultural, acting as a symbol of the legal authority under which all governments and agencies operate, while the Cabinet directed the use of the Royal Prerogative, which included the privilege to declare war, maintain the [[Queen's peace]], and direct the actions of the [[Barbados Defence Force]], as well as to [[Parliamentary session|summon and prorogue parliament]] and [[Dropping the writ|call elections]].<ref>{{citation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025731/https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|url=https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|title=The Constitution of Barbados|archive-date=16 February 2018|page=56}}</ref> However, it is important to note that the Royal Prerogative belonged to the Crown and not to any of the ministers, though it might have sometimes appeared that way,<ref name="Murdoch" /> and the constitution allows the governor-general to unilaterally use these powers in relation to the dismissal of a prime minister, dissolution of parliament, and removal of a judge in exceptional, [[constitutional crisis]] situations.<ref>{{harvnb| Elizabeth II| 2002| loc=IV.32(2)}}</ref>

There were also a few duties which were specifically performed by the Queen, such as appointing the governor-general,<ref name="Elizabeth II 2002 loc=IV.28" /> or the creation of [[Commonwealth realms orders and decorations#Barbados|Barbadian honours]].<ref name=thehis/>

The governor-general, to maintain the stability of government, appointed as prime minister the individual most likely to maintain the support of the [[Barbados House of Assembly|House of Assembly]].<ref>{{harvnb| Elizabeth II| 2002| loc=VI.65(1)}}</ref> The governor-general additionally appointed a Cabinet, at the direction of the prime minister, at least five other [[Minister of the Crown|ministers of the Crown]].<ref>{{harvnb| Elizabeth II| 2002| loc=VI.64(1)}}</ref> The Queen was informed by her viceroy of the acceptance of the resignation of a prime minister and the swearing-in of a new prime minister and other members of the ministry, she remained fully briefed through regular communications from her Barbadian ministers, and she held regular audiences with them whenever possible.<ref name=Buck1/> Members of various executive agencies and other officials are appointed by the Crown. The appointment of privy councillors,<ref name="archive63">{{citation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025731/https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|url=https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|title=The Constitution of Barbados|archive-date=16 February 2018|page=63}}</ref> [[Senate of Barbados|senators]],<ref name="archive40"/> and [[Politics of Barbados#Judiciary|Supreme Court]] justices also falls under the Royal Prerogative.<ref name="archive70"/>
{{clear left}}

=== Foreign affairs ===

[[File:Malgorzata Wasilewska, pose with Barbados' Acting Governor General Sir Ken Hewitt after presenting her letters of credentials.jpg|thumb|Sir Ken Hewitt, the Acting Governor-General of Barbados, and EU Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska stand under a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, after Wasilewska presented her credentials to Hewitt]]

The Royal Prerogative further extended to foreign affairs: the governor-general ratified treaties, alliances, and international agreements. As with other uses of the Royal Prerogative, no parliamentary approval was required. However, a treaty couldn't alter the domestic laws of Barbados; an Act of Parliament was necessary in such cases. The governor-general, on behalf of the Queen, also accredited Barbadian [[High Commissioner]]s and ambassadors and received diplomats from foreign states. In addition, the issuance of passports fell under the Royal Prerogative and, as such, all [[Barbadian passport]]s were issued in the governor-general's name, the monarch's representative in Barbados.<ref>[https://www.royal.uk/passports Passports]</ref>

===Parliament===
The sovereign, along with the [[Senate of Barbados|Senate]] and the House of Assembly, was one of the three components of the [[Parliament of Barbados|Barbadian parliament]].<ref name=ggc>{{harvnb| Elizabeth II| 2002| loc=V.35}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=https://www.gov.bb/Government/parliament|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403054759/https://www.gov.bb/Government/parliament|archive-date=3 April 2019|title=PARLIAMENT
}}</ref> The authority of the Crown therein was embodied in the mace, which bore a crown at its apex; unlike other realms, however, the Barbados parliament only had a mace for the lower house.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.barbadosparliament.com/mace.php| author=Parliament of Barbados| title=The Mace of the House of Assembly| publisher=Government Printer| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002152920/http://www.barbadosparliament.com/mace.php| archive-date=2 October 2008}}</ref>

The monarch did not, however, participate in the legislative process; the viceroy did, though only in the granting of [[Royal Assent]].<ref name="Elizabeth II 2002 loc=V.581">{{harvnb| Elizabeth II| 2002| loc=V.58(1)}}</ref> Further, the constitution outlined that the governor-general alone was responsible for appointing senators. The viceroy made twelve senatorial appointments on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of leader of the opposition and seven at his own discretion.<ref>{{harvnb| Elizabeth II| 2002| loc=36(3)-(4)}}</ref> The viceroy additionally summoned, [[Legislative session|prorogued]], and [[dissolution of Parliament|dissolved]] parliament;<ref>{{harvnb| Elizabeth II| 2002| loc=61(1)-(2)}}</ref> after the latter, the [[Writ of election|writs for a general election]] were usually [[Dropping the writ|dropped by the governor-general]] at [[Government House, Barbados|Government House]].<ref>{{citation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025731/https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|url=https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|title=The Constitution of Barbados|archive-date=16 February 2018|page=57}}</ref>

[[File:Opening of Parliament and Throne Speech (50345590092).jpg|thumb|The Governor-General receiving the Throne Speech at the State Opening of Parliament, 2020]]

The new parliamentary session was marked by the Opening of Parliament, during which the monarch or the governor-general read the [[Speech from the Throne]].<ref>{{citation|page=4|title=Barbados News Bulletin|year=1974|publisher=Consulate General of Barbados|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=quj9QluPt08C}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/governor-general-to-deliver-throne-speech-on-september-15/|title=Governor General To Deliver Throne Speech On September 15|access-date=28 November 2021|work=gisbarbados.gov.bb}}</ref> As the monarch and the viceroy couldn't enter the House of Assembly, the Throne Speech took place in the Senate chamber; Members of Parliament were summoned to these ceremonies from the Commons by the Crown's messenger, after he knocked on the doors of the lower house that were slammed closed on him, to symbolise the barring of the monarch from the assembly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwRnvpsxynY|via=YouTube|title=Opening of The Second Session of The Honourable Parliament of Barbados|date=15 September 2020|access-date=29 November 2021|work=PMOBarbados}}</ref><ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Black Rod|volume=4}}</ref>

All laws in Barbados were enacted only with the viceroy's granting of [[Royal Assent]] in the monarch's name.<ref name="Elizabeth II 2002 loc=V.581"/> Thus, bills began with the phrase: "Be it enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Assembly of Barbados and by the authority of the same as follows".<ref>[http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00076861/00076/16j 1969 Companies Act.], The Official Gazette of the Government of Barbados.</ref> The Royal Assent, and proclamation, were required for all acts of parliament, usually granted or withheld by the Governor-General, with the Public Seal of Barbados.<ref>{{citation|title=MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF The Honourable the House of Assembly AND The Honourable the Senate|work=The Barbados Parliament|year=2021|url= https://www.barbadosparliament.com/uploads/sittings/attachments/19b9e7bed241c5f66a76dd95fe6c88df.pdf}}</ref>

=== Courts ===

Within the Commonwealth realms, the sovereign is responsible for rendering justice for all her subjects, and is thus traditionally deemed the ''fount of justice''.<ref>{{citation|last1=Davis|first1=Reginald|title=Elizabeth, our Queen|year=1976|publisher=Collins|isbn=9780002112338|page=36}}</ref> In Barbados, criminal offences were legally deemed to be offences against the sovereign and proceedings for [[indictment|indictable]] offences are brought in the sovereign's name in the form of ''The Queen versus [Name]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Griffith & Ors v. The Queen|url=https://archive.crin.org/en/library/legal-database/griffith-ors-v-queen.html|access-date=28 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Scantlebury v. The Queen|url=https://archive.crin.org/en/library/legal-database/scantlebury-v-queen.html|access-date=28 November 2021}}</ref> Hence, the common law held that the sovereign "can do no wrong"; the [[Sovereign immunity|monarch cannot be prosecuted]] in his or her own courts for criminal offences.<ref>{{Halsbury|12(1)|Crown Proceedings and Crown Practice|101}}</ref>

The monarch, and by extension the governor-general, on the advice of the Barbadian Cabinet, could also grant immunity from prosecution, exercise the ''[[royal prerogative of mercy]]'', and pardon offences against the Crown, either before, during, or after a trial. The exercise of the 'Prerogative of mercy' to grant a pardon and the commutation of prison sentences is described in section 78 of the 1966 Constitution.<ref name="archive63"/>

All Barbadian judges had to swear that they would "well and truly serve" the monarch of Barbados, on taking office. Under the Constitution, the Judicial Oath was:<ref>{{citation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025731/https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|url=https://www.oas.org/dil/The_Constitution_of_Barbados.pdf|title=The Constitution of Barbados|archive-date=16 February 2018|page=97}}</ref>

{{blockquote|"I, ''(name)'', do swear that I will well and truly serve Our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth II, Her Heirs and Successors, in the office of the Chief Justice/Justice of Appeal/Judge of the High Court and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of Barbados without fear or favour, affection or ill will. So help me God."}}However, the monarch did not personally rule in judicial cases; instead, judicial functions were performed in her name. In international cases, as a [[Sovereignty|sovereign]] and under established principles of [[international law]], the Queen of Barbados was not subject to suit in foreign courts without her express consent. In addition, the monarch also served as a symbol of the legitimacy of courts of justice and of their judicial authority. An image of the Queen or the [[Coat of arms of Barbados]] was always displayed in Barbadian courtrooms. Judges also had a pair of white gloves from the Queen on display on the edge of the [[Bench (law)|bench]], which marked the authority of the court, similar to the [[ceremonial mace]] of parliament.

Any attempt to kill the monarch or the governor-general was considered "high treason", and the person guilty of the offence was sentenced to death.<ref name=treaact/>

==Cultural role==

===The Crown and Honours===

[[File:2020 Independence Day Parade and National Awards Ceremony (50665022418).jpg|thumb|The monarch's representative, the Governor-General, conferring honours during the National Awards Ceremony at the Independence Day Parade, 2020]]

Within the Commonwealth realms, the monarch is deemed the [[fount of honour]].<ref>{{citation|title=Commonwealth Journal: The Journal of the Royal Commonwealth Society · Volumes 12-14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=inArAQAAMAAJ|page=99|year=1969|publisher=Royal Commonwealth Society}}</ref> Similarly, the monarch, as Sovereign of Barbados, conferred awards and honours in Barbados in her name. Most of them were often awarded on the advice of "Her Majesty's Barbados Ministers".<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=58730 |date=14 June 2008 |pages=29–30 |supp=2}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=62508 |date=29 December 2018 |page=N41 |supp=y}}</ref>

The Barbadian National Honours system was established in 1980 by warrant of the Queen of Barbados under a royal sign manual.<ref name=thehis>{{cite web|url=https://www.barbadosparliament.com/main_page_content/show_content/13|title=The History|access-date=3 November 2021|work=The Barbados Parliament}}</ref>

===The Crown and the Defence Force===

{{multiple image
| align    = left
| total_width = 200
| image1   = 12.BDF-COL.svg
| image2   = 11.BDF-LTC.svg
| image3   = 10.BDF-MAJ.svg
| footer   = The rank insignia of a Barbadian Colonel (left), Lieutenant-Colonel (centre), and Major (right) of the Barbadian Defence Force featuring the [[St Edward's Crown]]
}}

The monarch of Barbados was the [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[Barbados Defence Force]].

The Crown sat at the pinnacle of the Barbados Defence Force. It was reflected in Barbados's naval vessels, which bore the prefix ''HMBS'', i.e., ''Her Majesty's Barbadian Ship''.<ref>{{citation|page=42|title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World|year=2005|author=Eric Wertheim|publisher=Naval Institute Press|isbn=9781591149347 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hoo-AQAAIAAJ}}</ref>

St Edward's Crown appeared on Barbados Defence Force regimental and maritime badges and rank insignia, which illustrated the monarchy as the locus of authority.<ref name=qldy/>

Every member of the Barbados Defence Force had to swear allegiance to the monarch on taking office. The oath was:<ref>{{cite web|work=The Barbados Parliament|url=http://104.238.85.55/en/showdoc/cr/1981-48|title=Barbados Defence Force Reserve Regulations, 1981}}</ref>

{{blockquote|"I, ''(name)'', swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend Her Majesty, Her Heirs and Successors, in person, crown and dignity against all enemies, and will observe and obey all orders of Her Majesty, Her Heirs and Successors, and of the officers set over me."}}

;Queen's Colour of the Barbados Regiment

[[File:Queen's Colour of the Barbados Regiment.gif|thumb|Queen's Colour of the Barbados Regiment]]

The Queen's Colour of the [[Barbados Regiment]] was carried only when a guard was mounted for the Queen of Barbados, the royal family, and the governor-general of Barbados. [[Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood]], presented the regiment with its first stand of Colours on 23 February 1953. The Queen's Colour was paraded in [[Trooping the Colour]] for the first time on 19 February 1975, in the presence of the Queen. It was also trooped on 21 November 1987 to mark the 21st anniversary of Barbadian Independence, and on 4 June 2012 during the parade in honour of the [[Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bdfbarbados.com/the-colours/|title = The Colours|work=bdfbarbados.com|access-date=10 October 2021}}</ref>

===The Crown and the Police Force===

{{multiple image
| align    = right
| total_width = 200
| image1   = Royal Barbados Police Force Senior Superintendent.svg
| image2   = Royal Barbados Police Force Station Sergeant.svg
| footer   = The rank insignia of a Barbadian [[Superintendent (police)|Senior Superintendent]] (left) and [[Station Sergeant]] (right) of the Barbadian Police Force featuring the [[St Edward's Crown]]
}}

The Barbadian Police Force was known as "[[Royal Barbados Police Force|The Royal Barbados Police Force]]". The prefix "Royal" was granted by the Queen during her visit in February 1966.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.bb/Departments/police-department|title=The Police Department|access-date=28 February 2024|work=Government of Barbados}}</ref> The name was changed to "Barbados Police Service", when the monarchy was abolished in 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailyherald.sx/regional/rbpf-to-drop-royal-designation-become-barbados-police-service|title=RBPF to drop 'royal' designation, become Barbados Police Service|date=30 September 2021|access-date=10 October 2021|work=The Daily Herald}}</ref>

Every member of the Royal Barbados Police Force had to swear allegiance to the monarch of Barbados, on taking office. Under the Police Act of Barbados, the oath of office was:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://104.238.85.55/en/ShowPdf/167.pdf|title=Police Act|access-date=10 October 2021}}</ref>

{{blockquote|"I, ''(name)'', do hereby swear by Almighty God and do hereby solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully serve Her Majesty the Queen, Her Heirs and Successors during my service in the Royal Barbados Police Force; that I will subject myself to all Acts, orders and regulations relating to the said Force now in force or which may from time to time be in force and will discharge all the duties of a police officer according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will."}}

===Barbadian royal symbols===

From the beginning of Queen Elizabeth II's reign onwards, royal symbols in Barbados were altered to make them distinctly Barbadian or new ones created, such as the [[Coat of arms of Barbados]] (presented on 14 February 1966 by the Queen to then [[President of the Senate#Barbados|President of the Senate]] Sir Grey Massiah)<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.national-symbol.com/B/Barbados/Barbados-national-symbol.htm| title=National Symbols: Barbados| access-date=9 September 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714155540/http://www.national-symbol.com/B/Barbados/Barbados-national-symbol.htm| archive-date=14 July 2011| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=BParl>{{cite web| url=http://www.barbadosparliament.com/independence.php| author=Parliament of Barbados| title=The Barbados Parliament: Independence| publisher=Government Printer| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002152915/http://www.barbadosparliament.com/independence.php| archive-date=2 October 2008}}</ref> and the [[Queen's Personal Barbadian Flag|Queen's Royal Standard for Barbados]], created in 1975.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://flagspot.net/flags/bb-qe2.html| publisher=Flags of the World| title=Flag of Queen Elizabeth II in Barbados}}</ref> Second in precedence was the personal flag of the governor-general.

The main symbol of the monarchy was the sovereign herself. Thus, framed portraits of her were displayed in public buildings and government offices.<ref name=qldy/> A portrait of the Queen also greeted visitors in the immigration queue at the airport in Bridgetown.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/caribbean/barbados/articles/barbados-facts-reasons-to-visit/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/caribbean/barbados/articles/barbados-facts-reasons-to-visit/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Telegraph|title=13 fascinating facts about Barbados, the Kent of the Caribbean|date=30 November 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The Queen also appeared on commemorative Barbadian stamps.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://bps.gov.bb/index.php?ZZZ=1_1055_10_0_0_&YYY=8_44| author=Barbados Postal Service| title=The Golden Jubilee| publisher=Government Printer| access-date=9 September 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520010057/http://bps.gov.bb/index.php?ZZZ=1_1055_10_0_0_&YYY=8_44| archive-date=20 May 2011| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://bps.gov.bb/index.php?ZZZ=1_1055_10_0_0_&YYY=8_45| author=Barbados Postal Service| title=The Golden Jubilee Souvenir Sheet| publisher=Government Printer| access-date=9 September 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520010112/http://bps.gov.bb/index.php?ZZZ=1_1055_10_0_0_&YYY=8_45| archive-date=20 May 2011| url-status=dead}}</ref> A crown was also used to illustrate the monarchy as the locus of authority, appearing on [[police]] force, postal workers, prison officers, and [[Barbados Defence Force]] regimental and maritime badges and rank insignia,<ref name=qldy>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59458431|work=BBC News|title=Queen of Barbados - but just for one last day|date=29 November 2021}}</ref> as well as [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Barbados|Barbadian honours]], the system of such created through [[Letters patent|Letters Patent]] issued by Queen Elizabeth II in July 1980.<ref name=BParl/>

<gallery class="center" widths="300px">
File:Barbados Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown-1.jpg|The [[Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bridgetown]]
File:Ambassador Linda Taglialatela presents her credentials to the Governor General of Barbados, Sir Elliott Belgrave.jpg|Portraits of the Queen and Prince Philip displayed at Government House, Bridgetown
Flag of the Governor-General of Barbados.svg|Flag of the Barbadian Governor-General featuring the [[St Edward's Crown]]
Opening of Parliament and Throne Speech (50345582392).jpg|The Governor-General's car flying the flag, and displaying a crown on the number plate
File:Post box in Barbados 2.jpg|A post box in Barbados featuring the royal cypher of Queen Elizabeth II
File:Barbados Independence Republic Night (51718724338).jpg|The headgear of members of the Royal Barbados Police Force featuring the St Edward's Crown
</gallery>

;Queen's Personal Barbadian Flag

Elizabeth II had a personal Barbadian standard, in her role as Queen of Barbados. It was first used when the Queen visited Barbados in 1975.<ref name=75ft>{{citation|page=101|quote=The flag of the Queen of Barbados was displayed when Sir Garfield Sobers was knighted by her in February 1975, being a banner of the Arms, with the royal badge in the centre, as in other Commonwealth countries.|title=Flags of the World|year=1978|isbn=9780723220152|publisher=F. Warne}}</ref><ref>For images, see [https://preview.redd.it/6w0x9ugzi7r61.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=f48502e4421a2f8238792cb7cea0fc905c7e79df this], [https://preview.redd.it/14z5cnp0j7r61.jpg?width=960&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=30c69f4e088fe265ca9bfc639b1411f0f3fe1b23 this] and [https://www.gettyimages.in/detail/news-photo/west-indian-cricketer-garfield-sobers-receives-a-knighthood-news-photo/139236492 this].</ref> The standard consisted of a yellow field with a bearded fig tree, a long-established symbol of the island of Barbados, and the national flower the [[Pride of Barbados]] flowers in each of the upper corners. A blue disc of the letter "E" crowned surrounded by a garland of gold roses was displayed prominently on the flag within the centre of the tree.<ref>{{citation|title=Flag Bulletin, Volume 27|year=1988|publisher=Flag Research Center|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7jIrAQAAIAAJ|page=134|quote=PERSONAL FLAGS The Royal Standard is the flag used to represent Queen Elizabeth II throughout the United Kingdom and dependencies, in all non-Commonwealth countries, and sometimes in the dominions. .. Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, Mauritius ... Sierra Leone, Malta, and Trinidad and Tobago also had such flags.}}</ref><ref>{{citation|page=29|title=British Flags & Emblems|year=2004|isbn=9781862322974|publisher=Flag Institute|author=Graham Bartram}}</ref>

[[File:Royal Standard of Barbados.svg|thumb|center|upright=1.4|Standard of Elizabeth II as Queen of Barbados]]

=== Royal visits ===
{{See also|List of Commonwealth visits made by Elizabeth II|}}
[[File:Princess Margaret at opening of The Princess Margaret School.jpg|thumb|left|[[Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon|Princess Margaret]] at the opening of The Princess Margaret School in Barbados, 1955]]

In February 1966, the Queen, along with her husband, [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|the Duke of Edinburgh]], toured Barbados, opening [[Barclays Park, Saint Andrew, Barbados|Barclays Park]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barbados.org/barclays.htm|title=Barclays Park, Barbados|first=Barbados.org Travel|last=Guide}}</ref> in [[Saint Andrew, Barbados|Saint Andrew]], amongst other events. During her 1975 visit, the Queen knighted Barbadian cricketer [[Garfield Sobers]] in an open-air investiture before a crowd of 50,000 in Bridgetown.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2021/11/29/sir-gary-sobers-stumped-barbados-removing-queen-itll-sad-lot/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2021/11/29/sir-gary-sobers-stumped-barbados-removing-queen-itll-sad-lot/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title='It'll be sad for a lot of us': Sir Gary Sobers stumped over Barbados cutting ties with the Queen|work=The Telegraph|date=29 November 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpathe.com/video/VLVACIV8VPQZQA2LC1R9Y2AZZV44Z-BARBADOS-QUEEN-ELIZABETH-KNIGHTS-CRICKET-HERO-SIR-GARFIELD-GARY|work=British Pathé|access-date=29 November 2021|title=Barbados: Queen Elizabeth Knights Cricket Hero Sir Garfield 'Gary' Sobers In Open-Air Ceremony}}</ref> The Queen returned for [[Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II|her Silver Jubilee]] in 1977, after addressing the new session of parliament, she departed on the [[Concorde]], which was the Queen's first [[supersonic]] flight.<ref name=BParlHist /> She also was in Barbados in 1989, to mark the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the Barbados parliament, where she received addresses from both houses.<ref name="Buck1" /><ref name=BParlHist /><ref name=rvts/>

{{quote box| width=260px| border=1px| align=right|fontsize=88%| quote=Most significant of all your achievements, is the success with which you have nourished and brought to maturity, through many painful experiences, a constitutional system of democratic government, from which others have much to learn. For these reasons I am proud and happy to be your Queen, and I prạy that God may bless your national endeavours.<ref>{{citation|page=3334|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=npwNAAAAYAAJ|title=The Official Gazette: Volume 125, Issues 19-27|year=1990 | author1=Barbados }}</ref>| salign=right| source=[[Elizabeth II of Barbados]], 1989}}

In 2010, Prince Harry visited Barbados to launch the first Sentebale Polo Cup, and to raise awareness and funding for Sentebale's work.<ref name=rvts>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122154513/https://www.royal.uk/barbados?ch=2|title=Royal visits|url=https://www.royal.uk/barbados?ch=2|archive-date=22 November 2021|work=The Royal Family}}</ref>

To mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the country hosted the Queen's youngest son and his wife, [[Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex|the Earl]] and [[Sophie, Countess of Wessex|Countess of Wessex]], between 23 and 24 February 2012.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.gisbarbados.gov.bb/index.php?categoryid=13&p2_articleid=7314| first=Sharon| last=Lynch| title=Royal Visit To Mark Queen's Diamond Jubilee| date=25 January 2012| newspaper=Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS)| access-date=7 February 2012| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129203218/http://www.gisbarbados.gov.bb/index.php?categoryid=13&p2_articleid=7314| archive-date=29 January 2016| df=dmy-all}}</ref> To a joint sitting of the [[Parliament of Barbados]], the Earl read a written message from the Queen,<ref>{{citation| url=http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/royal-sitting/| title=Royal Sitting| date=24 February 2012| newspaper=[[The Daily Nation (Barbados)|The Daily Nation]]| access-date=25 February 2012| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230606/http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/royal-sitting/| archive-date=2 December 2013| df=dmy-all}}</ref> in which the monarch stated she has taken note of the level of development Barbados had achieved during its 45 years of independence and called the country a model small state for others around the world.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.gisbarbados.gov.bb/index.php?categoryid=13&p2_articleid=7553| last=Carrington| first=J.| title=Queen Elizabeth II Proud of Barbados' Achievements| date=24 February 2012| publisher=Barbados Government Information Service| access-date=24 February 2012| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506040523/http://www.gisbarbados.gov.bb/index.php?categoryid=13&p2_articleid=7553| archive-date=6 May 2012| df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{citation| title=Prince Edward praises island on progress| last=Parris| first=Dawne| url=http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/prince-edward-praises-island-on-progress/| date=24 February 2012| newspaper=[[The Daily Nation (Barbados)|The Daily Nation]]| access-date=24 February 2012| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227223233/http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/prince-edward-praises-island-on-progress/| archive-date=27 February 2012| df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The Princess Royal visited in 2015.<ref name=rvts/> In 2016, Prince Harry visited Barbados on behalf of the Queen, for Barbados's 50th anniversary of independence celebrations.<ref name=rvts/> The Queen shared person congratulations to the people and government of Barbados on reaching 50 years of political independence and touched on her family's fondness of Barbados and witnessing development of nation over that time. In her message, the Queen praised Barbadians and said they "have continued to flourish and grow into a strong and confident nation. The extraordinary talents of your people, from the cricket field to the music industry have been admired and recognised throughout the world".<ref>[https://www.royal.uk/message-her-majesty-queen-people-barbados-50th-anniversary-independence A message from Her Majesty The Queen to the people of Barbados on the 50th Anniversary of Independence], Published 30 November 2016, ELIZABETH R.</ref>

==Republicanism==
{{Main|Republicanism in Barbados}}

Former Prime Minister [[Owen Arthur]] called for a referendum on becoming a republic to be held in 2005.<ref>{{cite news| last=Thomas| first=Norman "Gus"| url=http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/02/07/vote.shtml| title=Barbados to vote on move to republic| publisher=Caribbean Net News| date=7 February 2005| access-date=30 June 2006| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228082001/http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/02/07/vote.shtml| archive-date=28 December 2007}}</ref> It was announced on 26 November 2007 that the [[Barbadian republic referendum|referendum]] would be held in 2008, together with the [[2008 Barbadian general election|general election]].<ref>{{cite news| author=Staff writer| url=http://www.cbc.bb/content/view/13417/10/| title=Referendum on Republic to be bundled with election| publisher=[[Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation]]| date=26 November 2007| access-date=27 November 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071128050750/http://www.cbc.bb/content/view/13417/10/| archive-date=28 November 2007}}</ref> On 2 December 2007, reports emerged that this vote was put off due to concerns raised by the Electoral and Boundaries Commission.<ref>{{cite news| last=Gollop| first=Chris| url=http://www.nationnews.com/story/317791120649409.php| title=Vote Off| work=The Daily Nation|location=Barbados| date=2 December 2007| access-date=17 June 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228045102/http://www.nationnews.com/story/317791120649409.php| archive-date=28 December 2007}}</ref> Following the election, [[David Thompson (Barbadian politician)|David Thompson]] replaced Arthur as prime minister.

On 22 March 2015, Prime Minister [[Freundel Stuart]] announced his intention to move the country towards a republican form of government "in the very near future".<ref>{{cite news|title=PM says Barbados moving towards Republic|url=http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/PM-says-Barbados-moving-towards-Republic|access-date=23 March 2015|work=Jamaica Observer|date=23 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324053426/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/PM-says-Barbados-moving-towards-Republic|archive-date=24 March 2015}}</ref> The general secretary of the Democratic Labour Party, George Pilgrim, confirmed the move and said that it is expected to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Barbadian independence in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Barbados plans to replace Queen with ceremonial president|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/23/barbados-plans-to-replace-queen-with-ceremonial-president|access-date=23 March 2015|work=The Guardian|date=23 March 2015}}</ref> According to the country's constitution, a two-thirds majority in parliament is needed to authorize the change; The Democratic Labour Party had a two-thirds majority in the [[Senate of Barbados|Senate]], but not in the [[House of Assembly of Barbados|House of Assembly]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Barbados wants to ditch the Queen on the 50th anniversary of its independence|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/barbados-plans-to-remove-queen-elizabeth-ii-as-titular-head-of-state/article23584875/|access-date=28 December 2015|work=The Independent|agency=Associated Press|date=14 December 2015}}</ref>

===Abolition===
{{See also|Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2021}}
In September 2020, the [[Barbados Labour Party]] government of Prime Minister [[Mia Mottley]] announced in its [[Throne Speech]] that Barbados would become a republic by November 2021, replacing the Queen and Governor-General with a president with the same powers and functions as the monarch.<ref>{{cite news |title=Barbados to remove Queen Elizabeth II as head of state and declare republic |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/barbados-republic-queen-elizabeth-head-state-b450871.html |access-date=16 September 2020 |date=16 September 2020 |work=The Independent}}</ref><ref name="2020proposal">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/16/barbados-revives-plan-to-remove-queen-as-head-of-state-and-become-a-republic |title=Barbados revives plan to remove Queen as head of state and become a republic |language=en-GB |date=15 September 2020 |access-date=15 September 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> The Barbados Labour Party had a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Barbadian parliament.<ref>{{cite news |title=Editorial: The need for Reform |url=https://www.barbadosadvocate.com/columns/editorial-need-reform-0 |access-date=16 September 2020 |work=The Barbados Advocate |date=20 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Rebecca |title=Queen responds after Barbados removes her as head of state - 'it's a matter for the people' |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/queen-says-removing-head-of-state-decision-for-people-barbados-101702934.html |access-date=16 September 2020 |work=Yahoo News UK |date=16 September 2020}}</ref>

On 20 September 2021, the [[Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2021]] was introduced to the Parliament of Barbados. Passed on 6 October, the Bill made the following amendments to the Constitution of Barbados:<ref name="billdetail">{{cite web|title=Barbados Parliament Bills Archive|url=https://www.barbadosparliament.com/bills/details/581|website=www.barbadosparliament.com|access-date=8 October 2021|publication-date=}}</ref>
* All references in the law of Barbados to Her Majesty the Queen, the Crown, and the Sovereign shall be read and construed as referring to the State;
* All references to the Governor-General shall be read and construed as referring to the [[President of Barbados]];
* All references to "Her Majesty’s dominions" shall be read and construed as a reference to the Commonwealth of Nations.
* Vesting the prerogatives or privileges of the Crown or Sovereign in the State, subject to the Constitution;
* Vesting all the rights and privileges of the Governor-General in the President;
* Vesting all property held by the Crown in the State;
* Electing the first President in a joint sitting of the Parliament of Barbados by the joint nomination of the Prime Minister of Barbados and Leader of the Opposition by 15 October 2021 with the person elected to take office on 30 November 2021;
* Following the end of the first President's term, future presidents will be elected by either a joint nomination of the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition or if there is no joint nomination, a vote of both houses of the Parliament of Barbados where a two-thirds majority is required;
* President to serve a term of four years;
* All the powers of the Governor-General transferred to the President;
* Amending the official oaths of Barbados to remove references to the Queen.<ref name="billdetail" />
* The title 'Royal' will be removed from all institutions that have it in their name.
*Barristers will no longer be appointed as [[Queen's Counsel]] - but most likely will be appointed [[Senior Counsel]].

The decision to become a republic without holding a referendum on the issue was criticised.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 August 2021 |title=Do it the democratic way |url=https://barbadostoday.bb/2021/08/29/btcolumn-do-it-the-democratic-way/ |publisher=Barbados Today |accessdate=7 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=8 April 2021 |title=DLP President calls for a referendum |url=https://www.barbadosadvocate.com/news/dlp-president-calls-referendum |publisher=Barbados Advocate |accessdate=7 October 2021}}</ref>

Governor-General [[Sandra Mason|Dame Sandra Mason]] was on 12 October 2021 jointly nominated by the prime minister and leader of the opposition as candidate for the first president of Barbados,<ref>{{cite web |date=12 October 2021 |title=Letter to the Speaker RE Nomination of Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason as 1st President of Barbados |url=https://www.barbadosparliament.com/uploads/sittings/attachments/11c0bb650b1c768dbdbee5a0208f6256.pdf |publisher=[[Parliament of Barbados]] |accessdate=16 October 2021}}</ref> and was subsequently [[2021 Barbadian presidential election|elected by parliament]] on 20 October.<ref>{{cite web |title=Barbados just appointed its first president as it becomes a republic |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/19661398.barbados-just-appointed-first-president-becomes-republic/ |website=The National}}</ref>

[[File:Barbados Independence Republic Night (51718724758).jpg|thumb|[[Charles, Prince of Wales]], delivering a speech in Bridgetown, after Barbados became a republic]]

The monarchy was abolished on 30 November 2021. Sandra Mason was sworn in as the first president of the newly formed republic. In a message to Mason, Queen Elizabeth II sent her congratulations and wished Barbadians happiness, peace, and prosperity for the future.<ref name=qmge>{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/queen-speaks-of-continuing-friendship-as-barbados-removes-her-as-head-of-state-and-becomes-a-republic-12482781|work=Sky News|date=29 November 2021|title=Queen speaks of continuing 'friendship' as Barbados removes her as head of state and becomes a republic}}</ref> Invited by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, [[Charles, Prince of Wales]], as future [[head of the Commonwealth]], attended the Republic Day events and celebrations in Bridgetown. It was the first time that a member of the royal family had attended the transition of a [[Commonwealth realm]] to a republic. The Prince was awarded the [[Order of Freedom of Barbados]] and undertook some public engagements.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a38366303/prince-charles-visit-to-barbados-2021-details/|title=All About Prince Charles's Visit to Barbados as the Country Cuts Ties With The Monarchy|date=28 November 2021|work=Town & Country}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/regretful-prince-charles-flies-to-barbados-to-watch-his-realm-become-a-republic-c2vnz7k5v|title=Regretful Prince Charles flies to Barbados to watch his realm become a republic|work=The Times|date=28 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/11/24/barbados-defends-inviting-prince-wales-ceremony-removing-queen/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/11/24/barbados-defends-inviting-prince-wales-ceremony-removing-queen/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Barbados defends inviting Prince of Wales to ceremony removing the Queen as head of state|work=The Telegraph|date=24 November 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Before 2007, a Commonwealth realm transitioning to a republic had to reapply for membership in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. As this is no longer the case, Barbados became the first country to remain a member having ceased to be a Commonwealth realm without having to reapply for Commonwealth membership.<ref name=commons>{{cite web|url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/barbados-becomes-a-republic/|title=Barbados becomes a republic|work=House of Commons Library|date=29 November 2021}}</ref>

==Monarch==

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Portrait
! rowspan="2" style="width:20%;"| Regnal name<br /><small>(Birth–Death)</small>
! colspan=2   | Reign over Barbados
! rowspan="2" | Full name
! rowspan="2" | Consort
! rowspan="2" | House
|-
!Start
!End
|- style="background:#eee;"
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |[[File:Queen Elizabeth II in March 2015.jpg|100px]]
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |'''[[Elizabeth II]]'''<br /><small>(1926–2022)</small>
|30 November 1966
|30 November 2021
|Elizabeth Alexandra Mary
|[[Philip Mountbatten]]
|[[House of Windsor|Windsor]]
|-
| colspan="5" |<u>Governors-general:</u> [[John Montague Stow]], [[Arleigh Winston Scott]], [[Deighton Lisle Ward]], [[Hugh Springer]], [[Nita Barrow]], [[Clifford Husbands]], [[Elliott Belgrave]], [[Sandra Mason]]
|-
| colspan="5" |<u>Prime ministers:</u> [[Errol Barrow]], [[Tom Adams (politician)|Tom Adams]], [[Harold Bernard St. John]], [[Lloyd Erskine Sandiford]], [[Owen Arthur]], [[David Thompson (Barbadian politician)|David Thompson]], [[Freundel Stuart]], [[Mia Mottley]]
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Monarchy}}
* [[List of Commonwealth visits made by Queen Elizabeth II]]
* [[Monarchies in the Americas]]
* [[List of monarchies]]
* [[List of heads of state of Barbados]]

==Notes==

{{Reflist|group=n|30em}}

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122154335/http://royal.uk/barbados/ |date=November 22, 2021 |nolink=n}}, Archive of Queen's Official website on Barbados
* {{cite web| url=http://www.burleighphoto.com/queen-elizabeth-silver-jubilee-barbados-1977/queen-parliament-concorde-g-boae.html| title=Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee in Barbados ends with her first flight on Concorde on a record setting flight back to London Heathrow.| first=Craig| last=Burleigh| year=2017| access-date=15 April 2017| archive-date=1 October 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001225152/http://www.burleighphoto.com/queen-elizabeth-silver-jubilee-barbados-1977/queen-parliament-concorde-g-boae.html| url-status=dead}}
* {{cite web| url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/TheQueenandBarbados/Royalvisits.aspx| title=Queen and Barbados: Royal visits| author=Elizabeth II| date=January 2010| access-date=16 January 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420051139/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/TheQueenandBarbados/Royalvisits.aspx| archive-date=20 April 2010| url-status=dead}}
* {{YouTube|id=M1eudteaZdo|title=Diamond Jubilee Celebration for Queen Elizabeth II}}, Visits to Barbados by the Royal Family over the decades
* {{cite news |last1=Alleyne |first1=Peta |date=3 December 2021 |title=CBC Presents: Barbados, A Republic |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jJL2KOS6wU |department=Special |series=CBC Presents |location=Bridgetown, Barbados |publisher=Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) TV-8 |publication-date=3 December 2021 |access-date=9 December 2021 |url-access= }}

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[[Category:Monarchy of Barbados]]
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