The historical ties between the governments of Barbados and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) are long and complex, including settlement, post-colonialism and modern bilateral relations. The two countries are related through common history spanning 339 years (1627–1966). Since the Barbadian date of political independence, these nations continue to share ties through the Commonwealth of Nations. Until becoming a Commonwealth republic in 2021, Barbados also shared the same Head of State, with Queen Elizabeth II as their Monarch.
Barbados was one of the oldest English settlements in the West Indies, being surpassed only by Saint Kitts though unlike St. Kitts Barbados never changed hands. The first English settlement close to Holetown in Barbados was established seventy-four years before the Acts of Union created the Kingdom of Great Britain. In 2016, British Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated Barbados for its 50th anniversary of independence, and expressed desire for continued close "enduring partnership" between nations.
The British High Commission in Bridgetown was established in 1966. A concurrent Barbadian High Commission is located in London, England.
History
The historic relationship between Barbados and Britain dates back to the 17th century. On a voyage from Brazil, Captain John Powell claimed Barbados in the name of England in 1625. Upon returning to England, his employer Sir William Courteen instructed John Powell to return to Barbados with settlers. John Powell's ship returned to England having not successfully located the island. A second voyage then led by (sibling) Captain Henry Powell in 1627 was successful. A group of 80 English settlers (along with 12 African slaves captured from the Spanish-at sea), established the first permanent European settlement on the island of Barbados on 17 February 1627 at present-day town of Holetown, Saint James. Barbados was transformed into a "proprietary colony" of Courteen's, until a claim on the isle was disputed by James Hay, 1st Earl of Carlisle who had proven that King Charles I of England actually granted him title for the infant colony.
From the first European settlement at St. James Town (which has since been renamed), until Barbadian independence in 1966, the island remained the only Caribbean island which never changed hands among European nations following settlement.
With the early introduction of sugar cane, Barbados became one of the richest of England's colonies in the world. The far eastern location of Barbados made the colony a major commercial centre for Trans-Atlantic trade especially with the British city of Bristol. In the early 1900s Barbados also served as one of the main interconnection points of the British Empire's All Red Line.
Today
Although Barbados has had strong ties with the UK since the first European settlement, the UK is tied increasingly with the European Union for trade. This has prompted Barbados and other former nations of the British West Indies nations to seek new markets for trade expansion within the Americas. As such the trade, financial, and cultural relations with these separate blocs have become increasingly dominant.
The government of the United Kingdom has consolidated several of its High Commissions with a large number of the Eastern Caribbean offices transferring duties to Bridgetown office.
As Commonwealth realms, the two countries shared a monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, and both are active members of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the African, Caribbean and Pacific–EU's Joint Parliamentary Assembly. Barbados announced it will become a republic by November 2021, to leave its 'colonial past behind'. Critics claim that the move came about in part because China exerted pressure on Barbados.
The Central Bank of Barbados is one of several monetary bodies that print its banknotes with De La Rue of England.
In 2011 the British High Commissioner to Bridgetown regarded that: “the relationship between the UK and Barbados is extremely strong and positive and the ties remain close. It is a good and warm relationship and Barbados remains the destination of choice for the UK.”
In 2012 the UK's Minister of State for the Independent Caribbean in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Henry Bellingham stated: "Barbados is the island with which the UK has the strongest and most natural relationship; there is a certain level of trust and cooperation between the two countries."