Barbados has elected its first-ever president, a key step to becoming a republic and removing &nbsp;Britain's Queen Elizabeth II&nbsp; as the head of state.

72-year-old Dame Sandra Mason is set to be sworn in on November 30, which will mark the country's 55th anniversary of independence from Britain.

The historic election came after a joint session of the House of Assembly and the Senate on Wednesday. Prime Minister Mia Mottley described the vote as a “seminal moment” for the nation.

The first woman to serve on the Barbados Court of Appeals, Sandra has been governor-general since 2018.

In September 2020, the government announced the plan to move to a republic status.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/barbados-says-it-will-remove-queen-elizabeth-as-head-of-state-327964">&nbsp;Barbados says it will remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state</a>

It had said that “the time (had) come” for Barbados to “fully leave our colonial past behind”. The change had already been recommended by a constitutional review in 1998.

Barbados —which has a population of just under 300,000 —was claimed by the British in 1625. It has sometimes been referred to as “Little England” for its loyalty to British customs.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/barbados-announces-presidential-nominee-cuts-ties-with-british-monarchy-what-does-it-mean-411095">Barbados announces presidential nominee, cuts ties with British monarchy. What does it mean?</a>

It is relatively prosperous, and a popular tourist destination: prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, more than a million tourists visited its idyllic beaches and crystalline waters each year.

Once heavily dependent on sugar exports, its economy has diversified into tourism and finance.

Notably, Barbados is not the first former British colony in the Caribbean to become a republic.

In 1970, less than four years after gaining independence from Britain, Guyana announced itself as a republic state. Trinidad and Tobago followed suit in 1976 and Dominica in 1978.

Jamaica has in the past suggested that it might also consider the change.

(With inputs from agencies)

Barbados has elected its first-ever president, a key step to becoming a republic and removing Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. 72-year-old Dame Sandra Mason is set to be sworn in on November 30, which will mark the country's 55th anniversary of independence from Britain.

Barbados has elected its first-ever president, a key step to becoming a republic and removing Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. 72-year-old Dame Sandra Mason is set to be sworn in on November 30, which will mark the country's 55th anniversary of independence from Britain. The historic election came after a joint session of the House of Assembly and the Senate on Wednesday. Prime Minister Mia Mottley described the vote as a “seminal moment” for the nation. The first woman to serve on the Barbados Court of Appeals, Sandra has been governor-general since 2018. In September 2020, the government announced the plan to move to a republic status. Also read | Barbados says it will remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state It had said that “the time (had) come” for Barbados to “fully leave our colonial past behind”. The change had already been recommended by a constitutional review in 1998. Barbados —which has a population of just under 300,000 —was claimed by the British in 1625. It has sometimes been referred to as “Little England” for its loyalty to British customs. Also read | Barbados announces presidential nominee, cuts ties with British monarchy. What does it mean? It is relatively prosperous, and a popular tourist destination: prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, more than a million tourists visited its idyllic beaches and crystalline waters each year. Once heavily dependent on sugar exports, its economy has diversified into tourism and finance. Notably, Barbados is not the first former British colony in the Caribbean to become a republic. In 1970, less than four years after gaining independence from Britain, Guyana announced itself as a republic state. Trinidad and Tobago followed suit in 1976 and Dominica in 1978. Jamaica has in the past suggested that it might also consider the change. (With inputs from agencies)

Barbados elects its first president, all set to remove Britain's Queen as head of state

The British royal family are recruiting for someone to join the Communications team at Buckingham Palace on a 12 month fixed term contract, starting in April 2018, where they will be responsible for &quot;promoting the work, role, relevance and value of the Royal Family to a worldwide audience&quot;.

They wrote in the job description: &quot;It&#39;s developing your skills on a worldwide platform. This is what makes working for the Royal Household exceptional. The Royal Communications team promotes the work, role, relevance and value of the Royal Family to a worldwide audience.

&quot;Joining this fast-paced and dynamic team, you&#39;ll assist senior colleagues with both proactive and reactive communications. You&#39;ll organise coverage of set-piece Palace engagements including investitures and garden parties, and provide support as required for off-site engagements.

&quot;You&#39;ll also play a role in producing content for a variety of platforms. From press announcements and media briefing notes to social media updates and feature articles; you&#39;ll develop your skills as you take on each new challenge.&quot;

The role will be based at the royal residence of Buckingham Palace but will also involve travel around the UK and abroad to cover important events.

They added: &quot;Although based primarily at Buckingham Palace, you&#39;ll also travel in the UK or overseas to support important visits and engagements. The reaction to our work is always high-profile, and so reputation and impact will be at the forefront of all that you do. Whether covering a state visit, award ceremony or Royal engagement, you&#39;ll make sure our communications consistently spark interest and reach a range of audiences. This is your opportunity to develop your career and deliver the exceptional ...

&quot;In return, you will be rewarded with a comprehensive benefits package, including 33 days holiday per annum (inclusive of Bank Holidays), a 15% employer contribution pension scheme (with the option for flexibility to increase contributions or draw down as salary) and support for your continued professional development.&quot;

Credit: BANG Showbiz

The Queen is looking for a Communications Assistant at Buckingham Palace on a 12 month fixed term contract

The British royal family are recruiting for someone to join the Communications team at Buckingham Palace on a 12 month fixed term contract, starting in April 2018, where they will be responsible for "promoting the work, role, relevance and value of the Royal Family to a worldwide audience". They wrote in the job description: "It's developing your skills on a worldwide platform. This is what makes working for the Royal Household exceptional. The Royal Communications team promotes the work, role, relevance and value of the Royal Family to a worldwide audience. "Joining this fast-paced and dynamic team, you'll assist senior colleagues with both proactive and reactive communications. You'll organise coverage of set-piece Palace engagements including investitures and garden parties, and provide support as required for off-site engagements. "You'll also play a role in producing content for a variety of platforms. From press announcements and media briefing notes to social media updates and feature articles; you'll develop your skills as you take on each new challenge." The role will be based at the royal residence of Buckingham Palace but will also involve travel around the UK and abroad to cover important events. They added: "Although based primarily at Buckingham Palace, you'll also travel in the UK or overseas to support important visits and engagements. The reaction to our work is always high-profile, and so reputation and impact will be at the forefront of all that you do. Whether covering a state visit, award ceremony or Royal engagement, you'll make sure our communications consistently spark interest and reach a range of audiences. This is your opportunity to develop your career and deliver the exceptional ... "In return, you will be rewarded with a comprehensive benefits package, including 33 days holiday per annum (inclusive of Bank Holidays), a 15% employer contribution pension scheme (with the option for flexibility to increase contributions or draw down as salary) and support for your continued professional development." Credit: BANG Showbiz

There is a job vacancy at the Buckingham Palace as Queen Elizabeth is hiring!

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Barbados elects its first president, all set to remove Britain's Queen as head of state

There is a job vacancy at the Buckingham Palace as Queen Elizabeth is hiring!