The island of Barbados became the latest to cut ties with the British monarchy and became the world’s newest republic on Monday during a handover ceremony. Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as the Caribbean island nation’s new president by its chief justice before taking an oath of allegiance to Barbados. “Republic Barbados has set sail on her maiden voyage,” Mason said in an inauguration speech, adding that Barbados now needs to navigate a “complex, fractured, and turbulent world.” She added, “Our country must dream big dreams and fight to realize them.” Barbados announced its plan to become a fully independent republic in 2020, but it will stay within the Commonwealth, formerly known as the British Commonwealth. Until Monday, the country had been ruled for 396 years under the British monarchy. The event Monday was held 55 years to the day since Barbados gained independence but kept the British monarch in a …