A total of 11 people have now been honored since 1998, including a slave who led a rebellion and the first person of African descent to serve in the island's Parliament. It is the first time in more than 20 years that Barbados has bestowed a national hero honor: The last person to receive the title was former cricket player Garfield St. вЂњI have traveled the world and received several awards and recognitions, but nothing, nothing compares to being recognized in the soil that you grew in.вЂќ ItвЂ™s also a day that I never saw coming,вЂќ she said in a brief speech in which she encouraged the youth to continue pushing Barbados forward.

вЂњThis is a day that I will never, ever forget. On Wednesday, the singer was officially honored in a separate ceremony where she received a large medal emblazoned with the outline of Barbados and blew a kiss to the cheering crowd. Rihanna raised her palm to her heart as she stood next to Mottley and said thank you before they walked offstage and briefly put their arms around each other.Д«efore Rihanna sat down again, she greeted several people, including Prince Charles. вЂњMay you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation by your words, by your actions, and to do credit wherever you shall go. вЂњOn behalf of a grateful nation, but an even prouder people, we therefore present to you the designee for national hero of Barbados, Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty,вЂќ the prime minister said. Rihanna had just been declared a national hero by the Barbadian government and bestowed with a title, вЂњthe right excellent,вЂќ as the island bade farewell to Queen Elizabeth II as head of state and celebrated becoming a republic for the first time in history.

вЂњYou can come my dear,вЂќ Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley told the multi-Grammy winner.

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