The Government of Barbados has announced plans to remove Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state.

The process of Queen Elizabeth's removal would be complete in November 21 when the nation marks the 55th anniversary of independence from Britain.

The decision was taken last year when a government statement said, "The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind."

Prime Minister Mia Mottley said Barbadians wanted a Barbadian head of state.

"This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving," he said in a speech.

Reacting to the announcement, Buckingham Palace said that it was a matter for the government and people of Barbados.

Quoting a palace source BBC reported that the idea "was not out of the blue" and "has been mooted and publicly talked about many times."