The Privy Council is appointed by the President of Barbados after consultation with the Prime Minister.
It formerly advised the Governor-General of Barbados in the exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy and in the exercise of his or her disciplinary powers over members of the public and police services until the declaration of the Republic of Barbados on 30 November 2021.
[2] The early Barbadian Legislature was composed of a Governor (who was at times also Governor-in-chief of other British West Indies colonial islands including the Windward islands) has an Executive Council consisting of the Governor, Major-General, Colonial Secretary, and Attorney-General, a Legislative Council in which the senior officer commanding the troops, the Colonial Secretary, and the Attorney-General sit ex officio, and a House of Assembly of twenty-four members, elected annually by franchise.
[4] The first Member of Her Majesty's Council of Barbados in 1657 was William Sharpe.
In 1965 it was recorded that "There shall be a Privy Council for Barbados which shall consist of such persons as the Governor-General, after consultation with the Prime Minister, may appoint by instrument under the Public Seal".