Entertainment Prince Charles appears to fall asleep during midnight ceremony as Barbados becomes a republic

Prince Charles has appeared to fall asleep, momentarily, during a late night ceremony to mark Barbados becoming a republic.

Charles, 73, was a special guest at the historic event which saw Barbados cut ties with the British Crown after nearly 400 years.

Official festivities marking the island's historic transition from realm to republic took place in National Heroes Square, decorated in the national colors of gold and ultramarine, in the heart of the capital of Bridgetown.

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© Getty The Prince of Wales attends the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony at Heroes Square on November 29, 2021 in Bridgetown.

The heir to the British throne had come from London for the occasion and watched as the Royal Standard flag was lowered from the flagpole and the new Presidential Standard raised in its place.

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On a rainy night in Hong Kong in 1997, Prince Charles read a message from his mother Queen Elizabeth II, as Britain handed back sovereignty of the territory to China after more than 150 years of UK rule. However, it sends a clear message that in the twilight of the 95-year-old queen's reign, and when Charles, 73, succeeds, the British monarchy's global reach is diminished.On Monday, nearly a quarter of a century on, Charles will be present at another handover, when Barbados becomes the world's newest republic, with an elected president -- not the queen -- as head of state.

The events were held late at night as at the stroke of midnight, Barbados cut its last remaining bonds to the British monarchy.

And it seems the timing, heat and possible jetlag may have taken its toll on Prince Charles who appeared to nod off during the cultural celebrations.

Prince Charles was filmed closing his eyes as his head began to droop before he quickly sat up as cameras televising the live event flashed in front of him.

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© Getty Prince Charles, Prince of Wales speaks as Rihanna looks on during the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony at Heroes Square on November 30, 2021 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

However, he appeared to recover quickly after dozing off and continued to look at the program he was holding.

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© Randy Brooks The Premier of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley at the opening of the Golden Square Freedom Park of Bridgetown, Barbados, November 27, 2021 A trend that will inevitably continue "? After Barbados, who becomes on Tuesday a Republic, some experts expect to see other kingdoms follow the example of this Caribbean Island to overcome the British crown.

In a speech Prince Charles said he was "deeply touched" to have been asked to participate in the commemorations before reflecting on the protracted process the island nation of just under 300,000 people has endured to become a republic.

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He told the people of Barbados: "The creation of this Republic offers a new beginning, but it also marks a point on a continuum -- a milestone on the long road you have not only traveled, but which you have built.

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© Getty Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley (L) and President of Barbados, Dame Sandra Mason (R) honour Rihanna as a National Hero during the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony at Heroes Square on November 30, 2021 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

"From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude. Emancipation, self-government and Independence were your way-points. Freedom, justice and self-determination have been your guides," he said.

Prince Charles arrives in Barbados as Caribbean island prepares to remove Queen Elizabeth as head of state

Prince Charles has arrived in Barbados as the Caribbean country officially transitions to a republic, removing Queen Elizabeth as head of state. The changeover comes nearly 400 years since the first English ship arrived on the most easterly of the islands. The handover ceremony will take place on Monday evening local time, with thousands of people expected to watch the late-night event on TV, listen to it on the radio or see it in person at a popular square where the statue of a well-known British lord was removed last year amid the Black Lives Matter movement to eradicate symbols of oppression.

"Your long journey has brought you to this moment, not as your destination, but as a vantage point from which to survey a new horizon."

Barbados's decision marks the first time in nearly three decades that a realm has opted to remove the British monarch as head of state. The last nation to do so was the island of Mauritius in 1992. Like that country, Barbados intends to remain part of the Commonwealth -- a 54-member organization of mostly former British territories designed to foster international cooperation and trade.

© Getty Barbados officially became a republic at the stroke of midnight, with celebrations held during a late night spectacular.

Charles, who had arrived late on Sunday as Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley's guest of honor at the ceremonial changeover, also spoke of his long relationship with the nation, having first visited five decades ago.

He was interrupted by cheers after saying he would always consider himself a friend of Barbados.

"Tonight you write the next chapter of your nation's story, adding to the treasury of past achievement, collective enterprise and personal courage which already fill its pages," he said as he brought his address to a close.

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© Getty Prince Charles attends a reception at State House, which was formerly named Government House.

"Yours is a story in which every Barbadian, young and old, can take the greatest pride -- inspired by what has come before them and confident about what lies ahead."

Hours after the events, Prince Charles was looking bright as he attended the Toast to the Nation reception, hosted the President, in honour of the first day of the republic.

Now that Barbados is a republic, Government House has been renamed State House. It is the official residence of the President of Barbados.

The Prince of Wales is due to attend a few other engagements in Barbados today before returning to the UK.

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