BARBADOS IS set to make history today as the first nation to sever ties with the British royal family in over three decades as it becomes a republic.

Prince Charles arrived on the Caribbean island late Sunday in preparation for his mother – Queen Elizabeth II – to be removed as their head of state.

Following the invitation to attend the ceremony by Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottely, it is understood that Prince Charles believes his presence at the ceremony is “important”.

He is expected to say: “As your constitutional status changes, it was important to me that I should join you to reaffirm those things which do not change.

“For example, 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.”

The Prince, who was welcomed on the island by Barbadian prime minister Mia Mottley and Governor-General Dame Sandra Mason, will also touch upon his connection to the country after first visiting 50 years ago and will highlight shared goals they have with the UK for the future.

The historic moment for the country is ahead of marking their 55th year of independence on November 30th and will see Dame Mason be sworn in as Barbados’ first ever president. 

In a speech to the nation last year, she said it was time for the Caribbean nation to “fully leave our colonial past behind” after nearly 400 years of ties with the monarchy and said it would be an “ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving.”

Barbados will remain as part of the Commonwealth, but its turn to republicanism has sparked a “domino-effect” across the Caribbean as other islands contemplate cutting ties with the Queen’s reign. 

Guyana removed the Queen as head of state first in 1970, four years after achieving independence, Trinidad and Tobago following in 1976 and Dominica in 1978.

Jamaica has been hotly tipped as the next island to cut ties with the monarchy as opposition leader Mark Golding renewed calls to ditch the Queen as their head of state earlier this month ahead of their 60th year of independence

“We in Jamaica should follow now, right away and without delay. The establishment of a non-executive president as our head of state in replacement of its English monarch was agreed by major political parties over a decade ago,” he said.

“We can work together to make the required constitutional steps to make this happen. Let us move forward with this now.”Barbados will officially transition to a republic at midnight (8pm UK time) today.