“The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind,” the Caribbean island nation’s government said.

It aims to become a republic in November 2021 in time for the 55th anniversary of independence from Britain.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley said Barbadians wanted a Barbadian head of state.

“This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving,” she said.

A spokesman for the Queen said that it was a matter for the government and people of Barbados.  They added that it “was not out of the blue” and “has been mooted and publicly talked about many times”.