Rihanna, beauty and fashion entrepreneur was hailed as a national hero of Barbados on Monday during the country’s presidential inauguration, which marked the country’s transition to a republic.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, but an even prouder people, we thus present to you the designee for national hero of Barbados, Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty,” Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley told the throng.
“May you continue to shine brightly like a diamond, bringing glory to your country through your efforts, activities, and reputation wherever you go,” Mottley added announcing Rihanna as the new national hero.
In 2018, the beauty and fashion entrepreneur was named as a Barbados ambassador
The role provides the celebrity “particular responsibility for promoting education, tourism, and investment for the island,” according to a statement given at the time by the Barbados Government Information Office.
Rihanna also became one of the Caribbean island country’s cultural ambassadors in 2008, doing promotional work for its tourism ministry.
In a move that received a great deal of support in the country, Barbados formally cut ties with the British monarchy by becoming a republic almost 400 years after the first English ship arrived on the most easterly of the Caribbean islands.
