NEWSRihanna Awarded National Hero Of Barbados After The Nation Becomes A Republic, Prime Minister Tells Singer To 'Continue To Shine Like A Diamond'
Rihanna has been declared a national hero after Barbados became a republic.
The 33-year-old singer was present when Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as president on Monday, November 29.
As previously reported by OK!, Prince Charles traveled to Barbados to attend the transition ceremony as Queen Elizabeth II was removed as head of state.
The "Umbrella" singer was presented with the National Hero Award by Prime Minister Mia Mottley.
"Ambassator Robyn Rihanna Fenty tomorrow morning shall have conferred upon her the order of national hero of Barbados," Mottley announced.
"May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation by your works, by your actions," Mottley told the Fenty Beauty founder, referencing her 2012 hit "Diamonds."
According to Mottley, Rihanna has commanded "the imagination of the world through the pursuit of excellence with her creativity, her discipline, and above all else, her extraordinary commitment to the land of her birth."
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The brunette beauty donned a stunning floor-length orange dress for the occasion and wore her hair in a braided updo.
"From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude," the Prince of Wales said in a speech during the transition ceremony
The heir to the British throne said "the creation of this republic offers a new beginning" and that he was "deeply touched" to have been invited to the event.
Rihanna was born in Saint Michael in Barbados. She grew up in Bridgetown but later moved to the United States when she was a teenager to pursue her music career.
In 2017, Westbury New Road — the street where the Battleship star grew up — was renamed Rihanna Drive.
"On February the 20th of 1988, the day Rihanna was born, Barbados was changed socially, politically and economically," former Prime Minister Freundel Stuart said at the time. "Rihanna became one of the most iconic personalities of the 21st century."
