Barbados’ 8th Governor General is preeminent jurist Sandra Mason.
It was announced in an embargoed statement released from the Government Information Service.
The notice, which came from Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, declared as follows;
“I should like to inform the country of the decision made in respect of the office of Governor-General of Barbados. The seventh holder of that office, Sir Elliott Belgrave, retired effective July 1, 2017 after five years of service as our Head of State.
“The selection of a Governor-General is never an easy task. The selection process must be guided by a range of factors, among them being personal and professional attributes, record of service, commitment to country, integrity and dignity. There are many Barbadians at home and in the diaspora who could qualify.
“In keeping with tradition, Her Majesty The Queen has agreed to confer on The Honourable Sandra Prunella Mason, the honour and dignity of Dame Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (GCMG). The Honourable Sandra Prunella Mason, on assumption of the office of Governor-General, will, under the Order of the Dame of Saint Andrew, become the Chancellor and Principal Dame of Saint Andrew.
The installation ceremony for The Honourable Sandra Prunella Mason, will take place on Monday 8th January 2018 in the Senate Chambers.”
Some viewers may wonder if this begs the question of the fate of Barbados as a Republic, since that style of governance does not recognise nor use a figurehead of Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State.
During the interim while there was no official Governor General, former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Philip Greaves acted in that capacity…
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