BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Despite being independent of Britain, the island of Barbados is still under a constitutional monarchy led by Queen Elizabeth II.

But that won’t be for much longer.

The Barbadians have decided that they will lead their own country and hope to have the change in place by next November, the BBC reported.

Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley made the declaration in a speech she wrote this week that laid out the policies and programs for the upcoming parliament session.

“This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving,” Mottley wrote in the statement, according to the BBC.

The speech was given by Barbados’ Governor-General Sandra Mason, CNN reported.

“The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind,” officials said.

“Barbadians want a Barbadian Head of State. This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving,” the speech said, CNN reported.

Buckingham Palace said the move was not unexpected and that leaders in Barbados have discussed the move in the past.

A commission actually made the recommendation back in 1998, the BBC reported.

Barbados celebrates 55 years of independence in 2021, CNN reported.

Cox Media Group