By Herb Frazier  |  Barbados will become a republic on Nov. 30 when it removes Queen Elizabeth as the head of state on the 55th anniversary of the nation’s independence from England.

Barbados and Charleston have a historic and cultural tie that dates back to April 1670. Settlers from Barbados established the Carolina colony which grew into modern-day Charleston.

As a parliamentary republic, Barbados will have a ceremonial elected president as head of state. The prime minister remains the head of government.

The move cuts the last vestiges of the colonial umbilical cord with England, said Charleston resident Rhoda Green, Barbados’ honorary consul to South Carolina and founder of the Barbados and the Carolina Legacy Foundation.