Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Princess Anne has made a surprise overseas visit to Barbados, just under four years since the country ditched the monarchy in favour of becoming a republic.
The Princess Royal visited the Caribbean island over the weekend, and was received by the country’s president, Sandra Mason, as well as Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
Her Royal Highnesses’ visit was not publicised in advance, with the 74-year-old visiting Barbados to attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conferences.
Taking to social media on Tuesday, Buckingham Palace shared details of the trip, with a caption reading: “Thank you to everyone who welcomed The Princess Royal to Barbados this weekend!”
The primary purpose of the trip was for the Princess to attend the commonwealth conferences which were established by her late father, Prince Philip. back in 1956.
Philip created the conferences to act as a forum for emerging leaders from the worlds of business and non-profit sectors to collaborate and examine challenges which they face.
HRH took over the role of President from her father in 2011.
Additionally, Princess Anne conducted a number of engagements involving local dignitaries and members of the community.
This included a visit to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, where she laid a wreath in memory of Barbadian Merchant Seamen who served during the Second World War.
The Princess was joined on the visit by her private secretary, Colonel John Boyd.
Barbados is the most recent country to gain their independence from The Crown, with the country becoming a republic in 2021.
On 20 September 2021, a bill was issued to Parliament to make amendments to the Constitution, which would replace Queen Elizabeth as head of state with an elected President. On 6 October, the bill passed, with the incumbent Governor-General, Sandra Mason, was elected Barbados’s first President.
The then Prince Charles represented his mother at ceremonies to mark Barbados becoming a republic.
He gave a speech in November 2021, where he said: “I was so deeply touched that you should have invited me to return to Barbados and to join you, on behalf of The Queen, at this moment of such significance for your remarkable Nation.
“The creation of this Republic offers a new beginning, but it also marks a point on a continuum – a milestone on the long road you have not only travelled, but which you have built.
“From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude. Emancipation, self-government and Independence were your way-points. Freedom, justice and self-determination have been your guides.
“Your long journey has brought you to this moment, not as your destination, but as a vantage point from which to survey a new horizon.”