Rihanna honored National Hero; Barbados Republic Ceremony

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Barbados is now an independent republic, and one of its leadership’ first orders of business is to recognize Rihanna, the island’s native daughter, as a cultural icon.

For the first time in Barbados’ history, Queen Elizabeth II was deposed as the country’s head of state on Monday, and the island became its own sovereign entity for the first time.

It also functioned as a type of introduction for RiRi, who had been named an official national hero. Rihanna was bestowed the title by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who serves separately from President-elect Sandra Mason, saying she had “commanded the imagination of the world through the pursuit of excellence with her creativity, discipline, and above all, her extraordinary commitment to the land of her birth.”

Rihanna has done a lot for Barbados in a variety of ways, including representing the island via her music and elsewhere, as well as serving as an ambassador since 2018.

They’ve lavished her with numerous honors and gestures throughout the years, including naming a boulevard after her. She is only the 11th Barbadian to be honored as a national hero in history.

Meanwhile, the rest of Barbados was rejoicing because it would no longer be ruled by the monarchy in the future, which had been a long time coming.

In 1966, the island declared independence from the United Kingdom, but it remained a Commonwealth nation.

What it’s worth, the Royal Family was totally supportive, sending Prince Charles out to give a speech hailing Barbados’ independence — a move that drew mixed reactions due to his ancestor, King James I, who created a legacy of slavery and exploitation in Barbados in 1625.Barbados will remain a member of the Commonwealth.