Barbados Declares Rihanna A National Hero

That Rihanna reign just won’t let up!

The island of Barbados is now an independent republic, and one of its leaders’ first orders of business is crowning the Bajan beauty a national hero.

Monday marked an historic milestone for the Caribbean nation, as Queen Elizabeth II was removed as the head of state there and Barbados became its own independent body for the first time.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley — bestowed Rihanna with the title, saying she had “commanded the imagination of the world through the pursuit of excellence with her creativity, her discipline, and above all else, her extraordinary commitment to the land of her birth.”

“May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation by your works, by your actions, and to do credit wherever you shall go,” she said while referring to Rih’s hit track “Diamonds.”

Rihanna is just the 11th Barbadian in history to be deemed a national hero. During her speech (the next day), she said “nothing compares to being recognized from the soil that you grew in.”

The Right Honourable Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty!🇧🇧❤️ pic.twitter.com/wLkPNvoVEQ

— Clara Lionel Fdn (@ClaraLionelFdn) November 30, 2021

She is now Her Excellency, Ambassador and National Hero Robyn Rihanna Fenty. And she’ll be addressed as such.