As Barbados becomes a republic after serving its last remaining colonial bonds nearly 400 years after the first English ships arrived at the Caribbean island, in the declaration and inauguration ceremony of the country at Heroes square, Bridgetown where hit singer Rihanna is declared as the National hero of Barbados. She is the second woman in Barbados history to be honoured with the title of National Hero after religious leader Sarah Ann Gill, who died in 1866.
"May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honour to your nation," Prime Minister Mia Mottley told the singer when bestowing the honour. Rihanna received the full title of The Right Excellent Robyn Rihanna Fenty for life. She was wearing a Bottega Veneta halter neck tassel gown with strappy heels.
Rihanna whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty is born in 1988, is a Barbadian singer, actress, fashion designer, and businesswoman. Rihanna was firstly discovered by American record producer Evan Rogers who invited her to the United States to record demo tapes. Rogers said that "The minute Rihanna walked into the room, it was like the other two girls didn't exist." Rihanna made her debut by the album Music of the Sun. Her songs have often topped the US Billboard 200 chart.
In 2008, the singer was given a Barbadian ambassadorial role for culture. A decade later in 2018, Rihanna was named the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for her home country, a role that involves promoting education, tourism, and investment.
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Prime Minister Mottley praised the singer and said," Commanding the imagination of the world through the pursuit of excellence, her creativity, her discipline, and above all else, her extraordinary commitment to the land of her birth."