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The monarchy of Barbados is a constitutional system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of Barbados, forming the core of the country's Westminster style parliamentary democracy. The terms Crown in Right of Barbados, Her Majesty in Right of Barbados, or The Queen in Right of Barbados may also be used to refer to the entire executive of the government of Barbados. Though the Barbadian Crown has its roots in the British Crown, it has evolved over the centuries to become a distinctly Barbadian institution, represented by unique symbols. The present monarch is Elizabeth II - officially titled Queen of Barbados - who has reigned since February 6, 1952. She, her consort, and other members of the Royal Family undertake various public and private functions across Barbados and on behalf of the country abroad. However, the Queen is the only member of the Royal Family with any constitutional role, holding ultimate executive authority, though her Royal Prerogative remains bound by laws enacted by her in parliament and by conventions and precedents, leaving the day-to-day exercise of executive power to her Cabinet. While several powers are the sovereign's alone, most of the royal constitutional and ceremonial duties in Barbados are carried out by the Queen's representative, the Governor-General; as such, the Governor-General can sometimes be referred to as the head of state. The Barbadian government had planned a referendum on the future of the monarchy in August 2008, however these plans were delayed indefinitely due to electoral concerns and change of government at the 2008 general election. |