The Caribbean island nation officially became a republic yesterday on the 55th anniversary of its independence from the UK. In a midnight ceremony attended by several high-profile figures, including Prince Charles and pop/business genius Rihanna, a final salute was made to the British monarchy, and the Royal Standard flag was lowered for the last time. Dame Sandra Mason, the island’s Governor-General since 2018, is the nation’s new president and head of state after she was voted in by the parliament last month. Queen Elizabeth gave her “warmest good wishes” for “happiness, peace and prosperity in the future”. And Prince Charles acknowledged the “appalling atrocity of slavery” enforced by the Brits in Barbados while emphasising the ongoing ties between the 2 nations. As for the next round of break-free bingo, Jamaica is the hot tip to be next to ditch the Commonwealth…