Barbados Leaving The Crown!

Barbados will form itself as a Republic and sever its ties to the British Crown.

The island of Barbados is an independent nation that is sovereign to the British crown. The country is considering removing Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and become a Republic.

The government is strongly in favor of leaving British rule.

A former British colony that gained independence in 1966, the country had a formal link with the British monarchy.

"The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind," said Barbados Governor General Sandra Mason, delivering a speech on behalf of the country's Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

"Barbadians want a Barbadian Head of State. This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving. Hence, Barbados will take the next logical step towards full sovereignty and become a Republica by the time we celebrate our 55th Anniversary of Independence."

That anniversary will be held in November 2021.

Queen Elizabeth II is the head of British monarchy. She oversees at least 20 independent nations under her rule. Barbados is leaving that in 2021.

Buckingham Palace said the issue was a matter for the people of Barbados. Britain's Foreign Office said the decision was one for Barbados to take.

"Barbados and the UK are united in our shared history, culture, language, and much more. We have an enduring partnership and will continue to work with them along with all our valued Caribbean partners," a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.

As things stand, the governor general of Barbados is appointed by the Queen on the advice of the island's prime minister. The governor general represents the Queen at formal events such as the state opening of parliament, which was the occasion at which Mason delivered the speech on Tuesday.

Bridgetown, Barbados is the national capital of the island.

Britain played a key role in the history of Barbados, which was transformed by the Atlantic slave trade. The island was claimed for England in 1625 when Captain Henry Powell landed there.

NBC News reports that Barbados was settled and stayed in the British crown over the centuries.

The other Caribbean islands were fought over by the Spanish, British, Dutch, French and Americans.

The introduction of African slaves to work on sugar plantations brought wealth for the white ruling class.

Barbados has a population over 300,000 and is overwhelmingly people of African decent.

One famous Barbadian is Robin "Rihanna" Fenty. Rihanna is songwriter, actress, model and business mogul. She has recorded albums in Reggae, R&B, pop, hip-hop and rock.