English ships arrived in Barbados 400 years ago. The country won independence from Britain in 1966, but kept Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.

On Monday night that last formal tie ends as the Carribean island nation becomes a republic.

The monarch's son and heir Prince Charles flew to the capital, Bridgetown, as Barbadians prepared to celebrate the moment at midnight.

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The queen will be replaced with a Barbadian president in an inauguration ceremony to be held on Tuesday. Her current representative, Governor General Sandra Mason, will transfer into the largely symbolic role.

Shedding the final vestiges of a colonial system that once spanned the globe will not have a direct impact on Barbados's economy or trade relations.

Charles will deliver a speech just after midnight on Tuesday, saying that much of the relationship between the two nations will remain the same, including "the myriad connections between the people of our countries – through which flow admiration and affection, co-operation and opportunity."

Buckingham Palace says the issue is a matter for the people of Barbados to decide.

It will mark the first time in three decades that the queen is removed as head of state. Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, proclaimed itself a republic in 1992.

The shift may spur discussion of similar proposals in other former British colonies that have Queen Elizabeth II as their sovereign, which include Jamaica, Australia and Canada.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley said in a speech on Saturday the foundation of the republic marks a step forward for the country, but that citizens must confront challenges such as inequality and climate change with the same fervor with which they sought independence in the 20th century.

"As we move to become a parliamentary republic after 396 years of British monarchical rule ... I ask us to recognize that the challenges may have changed, but they are as daunting as they ever were," said Mottley at the inauguration of a park that honors Barbadian independence activists.