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Now no longer just a star, but a national heroine: Rihanna at the appointment ceremony in Barbados
Photo:
TOBY MELVILLE / REUTERS
Rihanna is no longer just a pop icon and an international superstar, but also a national heroine of her native country - the newly proclaimed Republic of Barbados.
The Caribbean island had declared itself a republic at midnight local time.
21 gun salutes were fired, then the national anthem of Barbados was played.
Barbados is a former British colony.
However, the island has been independent of the kingdom since 1966.
So far, however, the British Queen Elizabeth II was still formally the head of state.
The republic was proclaimed at the ceremony and the previous Governor General, Sandra Mason, was appointed President.
"We, the people, must fill the Republic of Barbados with life," she said.
“We have to shape their future.
We must protect one another and our nation.
We, the people, are Barbados. "
Rihanna has been named a national heroine by Barbados' Prime Minister Mia Mottles for her cultural achievements.
"May you sparkle like a diamond and do honor to our nation in your work and actions," Mottley said.
Rihanna landed a world hit in 2012 with her single "Diamonds".
Prince Charles also attended the ceremony
In addition to Rihanna, the Queen's son, Prince Charles, was also present.
He watched as the Royal Standard, the Queen's flag, was lowered.
"This republic can be a new beginning," said the heir to the throne in a speech.
"The people of this island have made their way with extraordinary strength - they have stepped out of the darkest days of our past and the hideous slavery that will forever be part of our history."
British colonialists abducted enslaved people from Africa to Barbados between around 1627 and 1807 to cultivate the island's sugar cane fields.
Barbados became the focal point of the barbaric transatlantic slave trade.
Today's population of less than 300,000 people is predominantly of African descent.
For them, the move means a detachment from the colonial legacy.
Barbados, however, will remain a republic within the Commonwealth, a grouping of 54 countries in Africa, Asia, America and Europe.
has / dpa / Reuters
