JAKARTA - Singer Rihanna was named a National Hero of Barbados, following the inauguration of the country's first president, following the transition to republic status, Monday.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley told the crowd, "On behalf of a grateful nation, but even more proud people, we therefore present to you the designated National Hero of Barbados, Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty."
"May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation with your works, with your actions and with praise wherever you go," Mottley said.
According to a statement from the Barbados Government Information Office released at the time, the position gave Rihanna "a special responsibility to promote education, tourism and investment for the island."
Previously, she was also one of the cultural ambassadors of the Caribbean island nation in 2008, doing promotional work for the tourism ministry.
In a move that received much support in the country, Barbados formally severed ties with the British monarchy by becoming a republic nearly 400 years after the first British ships arrived on the Caribbean's easternmost island.
Meanwhile, citing The New York Times, Barbados officially appointed Sandra Mason, a former Governor-General appointed by the Queen of England, as the first president after becoming a republic.
A salvo of 21 shots rang out as the national anthem played. The red, yellow and navy blue royal flag was lowered, exactly 55 years after the country gained independence from Britain.
"Today, debate and discourse have become action. Today, we are setting our compass in a new direction," President Mason explained to an audience gathered in the capital, Bridgetown.
President Mason received a majority in parliament in October to take up the role. In a speech that followed, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said: "We believe that the time has come for us to claim our full destiny. These are women from the land to whom this honor is bestowed."
With this change in status, Barbados merged with Guyana, which gained independence in 1966 and became a republic in 1970; Trinidad and Tobago, which became independent in 1962 and became a republic in 1976; and Dominica which gained full independence as a republic in 1978.
Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea are among the countries that still name the queen as head of state. Barbados will remain part of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 54 countries with roots in the United Kingdom.
In the audience watching the separation at Bridgetown were representatives from England: Prince Charles, Elizabeth's eldest son and heir. He received the 'Order of Freedom of Barbados' award.
In his speech, Prince Charles conveyed a message from his mother, the warmest of best wishes. He also congratulated the people of Barbados and said, "From the darkest days of our past, and the terrible atrocities of slavery, which forever tarnished our history, the people of this island forged their way with extraordinary fortitude."
"Tonight you wrote the next chapter of your nation's story. You are the custodian of your heritage," Prince Charles said.
Pride of Nationhood: Declaration of the Republic and Installation of the President of Barbados https://t.co/ed0w9vvwJd
— Mia Amor Mottley (@miaamormottley) November 30, 2021
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