Barbados just made official what we’ve all known for years: Rihanna is a national hero. As part of its first presidential inauguration since becoming a republic, the country did right by its most popular native in a ceremony led by the prime minister.
In October, Barbados elected Dame Sandra Mason as its first president since gaining independence from Great Britain in 1966. At the inauguration ceremony, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley bestowed Rihanna with the honor of national hero, telling the Grammy Award-winning singer "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.” The joy and pride radiating from Rihanna was obvious even behind a mask.
