Barbados on Thursday stood with the nations of the Commonwealth and the world in mourning the death of its last monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, ten months after it replaced her as Head of State and became a republic.
As confirmation of the 96-year-old monarch’s death dominated global news coverage around 1:30 p.m., leaders recalled her life of service, devotion, and diplomacy, while Barbadians took to social media to express their condolences on the passing of the Queen who, according to Buckingham Palace, died “peacefully” at Balmoral Castle, her family’s estate in Scotland.
On her passing, her eldest son who personally witnessed the birth of the new republic transitioned from heir to King Charles III.
Former viceroy now Barbados’ President Dame the Most Honourable Sandra Mason paid tribute on behalf of the country that the head of the royal family last visited in 1989.
She declared that Queen Elizabeth II, who served for 70 years and was “one of the most iconic global leaders in the post-World War II era”, held a special place in the hearts of Barbadians and the close bonds of friendship remained intact despite the island’s break from the monarchical system last November.
“Just under one year ago, Barbados took the decision to complete the course of Independence by breaking constitutional ties with the British monarchy and establishing the world’s newest republic. Significant as that decision was, given the place Barbados has held in the British Empire for centuries it did not in the least diminish the friendship between our two nations or, indeed, with Buckingham Palace. The presence of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at that ceremony signified the depth and warmth of those bonds,” the President said.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will always hold a special place in our hearts and we in Barbados will always treasure the memories of her visits to the island.”
The monarch, who ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952, at the age of 26, visited Barbados in 1966, 1975, 1977, 1985, and 1989.
She opened the East Coast Road (now the Ermy Bourne Highway) and Farley Hill National Park in 1966, knighted cricket legend Garfield Sobers in an unprecedented public ceremony in 1975, celebrated her silver jubilee in 1977, and toasted Barbados’ 350 years of parliamentary rule in 1989.
On each occasion, throngs of Barbadians enthusiastically welcomed their Sovereign, whether sailing the Royal Yacht Britannia or flying on a British Airways Concorde supersonic jet.
“Today, as we acknowledge the passing of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, we pay respect to this most treasured and valued world figure. Her Majesty The Queen will come to be recognised as one of the most iconic global leaders in the post-World War II era. This high regard with which she was held is a testament to the quality of her reign,” Dame Sandra said.
Barbados’ former United Kingdom Commissioner Guy Hewitt who met the Queen on more than one occasion described the former head of the royal family as “an extraordinary human being”.
He recalled her being very engaging and said they even shared a love of horseracing.
“All opportunities that I have had to engage her were always very cordial and she held Barbados and the Commonwealth Caribbean in very high graces. I think because of the historic links, there was an appreciation for Barbados and other parts of the region,” he said.
Hewitt said he believes Barbados should in some way acknowledge the passing of its former Head of State.
“She has been the Queen of Barbados and I think in many hearts, including mine, she will always be my Queen,” said the Anglican cleric. “But there is also the level of her as a former Head of the Commonwealth. Barbados remains part of the Commonwealth, as do 55 other countries, and as the Head of the Commonwealth she was able to oversee the transition of colonies into independent states, and because she put aside that kind of European arrogance that other colonial powers displayed in the post-colonial or independence era, she was able to keep the Commonwealth together.
“She was able to embrace modern independence leaders as her equals, never looked down upon them, never made them feel any less than she was, and it was that humility in power and leadership that were assets for the Commonwealth and we hope that we will see that continue with King Charles III who will succeed her as head of the Commonwealth.”
Apart from the tributes that came from officialdom, Barbadians were vocal on social media about their feelings about the British monarch’s passing.
“Long live the Queen! A most majestic monarch who expanded the number of [Commonwealth] nations,” said Karen Worrell.
Steven Downie declared: “May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Gone but never forgotten for you will continue to reign in God’s glorious kingdom forever. Farewell, my Queen. Love you always.”
Horace Philips described her death as the end of an era.
“While we Barbados left the realm a year ago, Queen Elizabeth still has our respect. We will remember her,” he wrote.
During her reign as Britain’s second post-war monarch, Queen Elizabeth II oversaw the transition of the British Empire into a voluntary association as Head of the Commonwealth, whose two billion citizens span 56 nations.
In a tumultuous second Elizabethan Age, the violent death-throes of colonial domination claimed thousands of lives, from the partition of India and Pakistan to racial oppression by White minority governments in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and South Africa.
It was in the dawn of a freely independent Zimbabwe in 1980 and the release from prison of Nelson Mandela which led to the end of Apartheid in South Africa, that veteran diplomatic and political contemporaries remembered Queen Elizabeth II’s diplomacy, personal integrity, and quiet determination for keeping a fractious Commonwealth together and contributing to momentous change.
One such collaborator, Guyanese statesman Sir Shridath Ramphal, 94, reflected on the late Head of the Commonwealth’s stewardship as a “queen beyond Britain” while he was Commonwealth Secretary-General from 1975 to 1990.
In a statement issued late Thursday, Sir Shridath, who lives here, said: “Having served closely as Commonwealth Secretary General for 15 years, I attribute the Commonwealth’s survival over the years of UDI (unilateral declaration of independence by the White supremacist regime) in Rhodesia and apartheid in South Africa greatly to the Queen’s deep caring for the new Commonwealth she had inherited, and her unqualified sense of duty.
“Few remember that it was the Queen who gave Marlborough House – her Grandmother’s home – as a Commonwealth Centre. Such was her caring for her new wider family where this week there will be remembrances of friendly country visits on every continent. The whole world has benefited from Queen Elizabeth’s life being ‘long’, in the context of her vow of service as her reign began.”
He added that the late queen’s “sense of caring for its unifying principles and her dutiful commitment in advancing their discharge, made her a global asset”.
“For that Commonwealth of 54 countries, her leadership rested not in allegiance but affection,” the former diplomat said.
In a brief statement, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Chairman President Chandrikapersad Santokhi of Suriname said that during Queen Elizabeth’s seven-decade-long reign, her “commitment to service and devotion to duty was a sterling example to all”.
“She was the one constant in a world of never-ending change. Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered for her love of and dedication to the Commonwealth of which she was a passionate supporter and leader.
CARICOM extends its condolences to the Royal family and to the Government and people of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and the Commonwealth of Nations on the passing of a monarch whose memory will be long revered. May she rest in peace,” he said.
