Rihanna’s homeland wants her to continue to “shine like a diamond,” the singer was honored Monday in her native Barbados during a presidential inauguration celebration marking the country’s conversion into a republic.
Singer Rihanna receives “national heroine” designation in Barbados
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley told the crowd, “On behalf of a grateful nation, but an even prouder people, we present to you Barbados’ national heroine designate, Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty.”
“May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation with your deeds, with your actions and make merit wherever you go,” Mottley said.
@maxfostercnn#rihanna #barbados #hero
♬ Diamonds – Diamonds
The makeup and fashion mogul was named Barbados’ 2018 ambassador.
According to a statement from the Barbados Government Information Office released at the time, the position gives the celebrity “specific responsibility for promoting education, tourism and investment for the island.”
She also became one of the Caribbean country’s cultural ambassadors in 2008, doing promotional work for its Ministry of Tourism.
In a move that received widespread support at home, Barbados formally severed ties with the British monarchy by becoming a republic nearly 400 years after the arrival of the first English ship on the Caribbean island.
