Barbados would soon be changing from a monarchical system of government to republican status, dropping the Queen as its head of state.

The Queen’s representative, the Governor General, will be replaced by a president, a “ceremonial figure” rather than the American-type president who wields the real power in government.

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart made the announcement recently, addressing a meeting hosted by the St George South branch of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) at St Luke’s Skills Training Centre, in Brighton, St George.