is in bridgetown. celestina, did last night feel like the beginning of a new chapter? welcome to the world s newest republic. it did feel like a new chapter being at the ceremony because after 55 years to the day that this country became independent, it has finally removed the queen as head of state and ushered in a barbadian, dame sandra mason, to take that place. we ushered in a barbadian, dame sandra mason, to take that place. mason, to take that place. we are seeinu mason, to take that place. we are seeing pictures mason, to take that place. we are seeing pictures of mason, to take that place. we are seeing pictures of the mason, to take that place. we are seeing pictures of the ceremony i mason, to take that place. we are i seeing pictures of the ceremony that looks quite formal. was there an element of celebration about it? certainly, especially at the beginning, before the formality began, before prince charles began. you had poets, you had really amazing steel bands made
and some current dependencies. celestina olulode is in bridgetown. thank you very much forjoining us on this momentous day for barbados. i wonder what level of support there is in the country for this decision? well, welcome to the world s newest republic. in terms of support, lots of people say that they ve back to this move. lots of barbadian tsar in full support of this. however, there is concerns about how this has happened. some barbadians said they wanted a referendum on this issue, because this is a key moment in their history and they wanted a say in how all of this happened. at the same time, some people have said we are in a pandemic, now is not the time for this to happen. but
whether fair or foul winds come our way, vessel republic barbados has set sail on her maiden voyage. may she weather all storms and land our country and citizens safely on the horizons and shores which are ahead of us. i m joined now by celestina 0lulode, who is in barbados. 0ne one wonders how widespread is the acceptance of the country is now a republic who meant there was not a referendum for this move, was there? well, welcome to the world s newest republic well, welcome to the world s newest republic. as you said, there is mixed republic. as you said, there is mixed reactions to this move. i ve spoken mixed reactions to this move. i ve spoken to mixed reactions to this move. i ve spoken to 70 barbadian people who said they spoken to 70 barbadian people who said they are in favour of this happening but as he said they would have liked happening but as he said they would have liked a referendum because they feel this have liked a referendum because they feel this is ha
in its first ever president. i, sandra prunella mason, do swear that i will be faithful and bear true allegiance to barbados according to law, so help me god. casting aside the official link to the british monarchy, barbados is increasingly looking east to china for financial support. there are republican rumblings, too, in other caribbean nations. they will be watching this newest republic closely. and our correspondent celestina olulude, who s in barbados, gave us this update. welcome to the world s newest republic. this is all important to this nation republic. this is all important to this nation because for the first time this nation because for the first time ever this nation because for the first time ever it has a barbadian head of