Barbados elects first president, British Queen to be replaced as head of state

Barbados has elected its first president, a key step in its preparations to become a republic and remove Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as head of state of the Caribbean island.

Barbados has elected its first president, a key step in preparations to become a republic and remove Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as head of state of the Caribbean island.

Sandra Mason, the current governor-general, is set to be sworn in as president on November 30, the country's 55th anniversary of independence from Britain.