BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Dame Sandra Mason was installed on Monday as Barbados’ eighth Governor General.

 In the presence of Members of Parliament, members of the Senate, the judiciary, the diplomatic corps, family and friends, the 68-year-old former Justice of Appeal took the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office for the execution of the office of Governor General, administered by Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson in the Senate Chamber.

In her address, Dame Sandra acknowledged the “challenging period” Barbados was facing, but said it opened up opportunities “to devise and implement major legislative, regulatory, fiscal and operational reforms.

“How we emerge will hinge on our ability to regroup and draw on our collective strengths as a people to ensure that we are able to march proudly and gallantly into the future,” said the Governor General, who described herself as “an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences.”

Dame Sandra was accorded a 21-gun salute after taking the Oath of Office, and later inspected a guard of honour made up of members of the Barbados Defence Force in Heroes Square, before being driven off to Government House for a two-hour reception.