Yahoo News Rihanna meets Prince Charles and declared ‘national hero’ as Barbados becomes republic
Barbadian pop sensation Rihanna met Prince of Charles and she was declared a “national hero” as Barbados became a republic state on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old pop royalty was seen speaking with the Prince of Wales at the event to mark removing the Queen as head of state.
She was also presented “the designee for national hero for Barbados” by the country’s Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the event in the capital, Bridgetown.
Ms Mottley said: “May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honour to your nation by your works, by your actions.”
Rihanna, real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was made an ambassador for Barbados in 2018.
She was born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown before moving to the United States.
Rihanna has gone on to become one of the biggest pop artists in the world, launch an acting career and her own fashion brand Fenty in 2018.
In a message to the people of the Caribbean island, the Queen sent her “good wishes for your happiness, peace and prosperity in the future” and emphasised the importance of the “continuation of the friendship” with the UK as she ceased to be their monarch.
Prince Charles joined Rihanna at the ceremony where he was invited to speak at the event which formalised the move.
He told the crowd: “From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our histories, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude.
“Emancipation, self-government and independence were your way-points. Freedom, justice and self-determination have been your guides.”
Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as the island’s first-ever president of the new republic.
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