The North American Caribbean country of Barbados has officially called popular pop singer Rihanna a "national hero" and added the word "democracy" to the country's name.
According to Reuters, the Prime Minister of Barbados presented the singer with an official award at a ceremony on the night between November 29 and 30.
Rihanna became the second woman in the Barbados Peninsula's 150-year history to be named a "national hero" by the government, following the naming of Sarah Ann Gill, a religious scholar, as a "national hero" in 1866.
Not only that, but Rihanna became the second living person to have the status of the official 'national hero' of the country and the nation.
Rihanna is in Barbados as the island country is officially declared a republic pic.twitter.com/zE4zwjYeRm
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 30, 2021
Before him, 85-year-old cricketer Sir Garg Field has the status of 'National Hero' and he too was given the said award many years ago.
At the ceremony of declaring Rihanna a national hero and awarding her medal, Prime Minister Mia Amur Motley called her a pride of the country and the nation and presented her with an award and certificate.
The Barbados government also appointed Rihanna as ambassador for health and education in September 2018, and she has received numerous awards.
With Prince Charles watching on, it’s just been announced that Rihanna is to be honoured with the title of National Hero of Barbados. pic.twitter.com/rBzzwwvOum
— Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) November 30, 2021
While the Barbados government called Rihanna a "national hero", the government removed the name of Queen Elizabeth II from the honorary head of state, changing the country's official name to "Republic of Barbados". Gave
The Queen was the Honorary Head of Barbados, who has been the Head of Barbados for over 70 years.
