The Visible Crown
Queen Elizabeth II and the Caribbean, 1952 to the present
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Monarchy vs Republicanism: Barbadians Had Their Say
17 December 2021
19 December 2021, 3:00 pm AST
You are invited to the discussion of poll findings on attitudes to monarchy and republicanism in Barbados.
Event Information
This event is free and open to all.
Moderator: Dr Cleve Scott, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus
Representative: Dr Kate Quinn, UCL Institute of the Americas
Discussant: Professor Cynthia Barrow-Giles, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus
Discussant: Professor Dwayne Devonish, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus
Webinar ID: 872 2928 0351
Access the Barbadian public opinion survey analysis presentation here.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, historians have been reflecting on her legacy in countries across the Commonwealth. In British Overseas Territories like the Cayman Islands, where she remained Queen for the entirety of her reign, her death was more visibly commemorated than in many independent, formerly colonised nations where her legacy appeared more complicated and controversial.
Photo credit: Simon Berry
Photo credit: Reuters
Photo credit: Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Barbados’ transition to a republic in 2021 raised the question as to whether any of the eight remaining constitutional monarchies in the Anglophone Caribbean would follow suit. Moreover, the highly criticised royal tour by William and Kate in March 2022 prompted calls to remove the Queen in all three of the countries they visited: Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas.
29 April 2022, 10:00 am
8 December 2021, 7:00 pm AST You are invited to the 16th Patrick A.M. Emmanuel Memorial Lecture titled: Forging a Nation: Confronting New Realities.
The Queen is welcomed by Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Errol W. Barrow on her arrival at Seawell Airport, Barbados, February 1966.
10 November 2021, 5:30 pm–7:00 pm In November 2021, fifty-five years after independence, Barbados will transition from a constitutional monarchy to a Republic. Barbados is the fourth Commonwealth Caribbean nation to remove the Queen as constitutional head of state, joining fellow republics Guyana (1970), Trinidad and Tobago (1976), and Dominica (1978). While the decision to become a republic has been broadly supported, the process of enacting this change is not without controversy. What are the implications – constitutional, symbolic, and material - for Barbados, and for the wider region? Why has Barbados succeeded in this endeavour where other Caribbean states have failed? To what extent is there political will or popular support to effect such a change elsewhere? Has ‘time come’ for the British monarchy in the Caribbean?
18 November 2021, 5:00 pm AST On 30th November 2021, Barbados will patriate its constitution and become a republic. While the act itself will take place this year, further post republican transition changes to the Barbados constitution are anticipated, and to that end, throughout 2022 into 2023, a series of consultations will be held with the Barbadian public. As a premiere educational institution, there is a space for the UWI to guide much of that discussion and education of the public. The Faculties of Social Sciences and Law at UWI are jointly hosting monthly town hall meetings to discuss various socio-economic, cultural, political, legal and constitutional issues relevant to constitutional reform of this magnitude.