Prince Charles, Barbados’ first republic broke its centuries-old links with Britain. Rihanna received her National Hero award.
On Tuesday, the Prince of Wales was present at a departure ceremony. He waved as he boarded a plane at Grantley Adams International Airport Bridgetown.
As he said farewell, he was greeted by the Guard of Honour. They played Bajan and British anthems as well as a twenty one gun salute.
This was the day Rihanna, singer and entrepreneur, received a national honor from her home country. She said she was proud to be a Bajan and it was an experience she would ‘never forget’.
After the performance, the singer stated that Barbados is home to the true heroes and would like for everyone to know this: “You are all Barbados’s greatest treasures. I will take you with me everywhere I travel. I am so proud of being a Bajan.” To the end, I will be a Bajan.
“This is the only place that I have ever called home. I love Barbados and the people who live there. I hope the youth will continue pushing Barbados forward.
She added: ‘I have travelled the world and received several awards and recognitions but nothing, nothing compares to being recognised in the soil that you grew in.’
Rihanna, Prince Charles and Princess Diana were there to witness the historic swearing-in of Dame Sandra Mason as the first president. This ceremony took place just after midnight. It ended the Queen’s position as head state.
Prince Charles waved as he left Grantley Adams International Airport in Bridgetown, Barbados on Tuesday. Prince Charles had been in Barbados before the Commonwealth’s transition to a republic.
The Prince of Wales attends a departure ceremony as he prepares to board a plane to return to Britain after taking part in events to mark the transition of Barbados to a newly created republic
This was the day Rihanna, singer, entrepreneur, received a national honor from her home country. She said she was proud to be a Bajan and it was an experience she would never forget.
Rihanna pictured during the Barbados Republican celebrations in Bridgetown. After the performance, Rihanna told the guests that they were the Barbados heroes and she would bring them all along wherever she went.
Mia Mottley was the Barbados Prime Minister and surprised all the guests by telling them that her government had suggested to the celebrity being made an Order of National Heroes member.
Applause was heard in National Heroes Square, Bridgetown. Dame Sandra was then sworn into office by Sir Marston Gibson, chief justice of Barbados.
Rihanna flew to Barbados to attend the event. Ms Mottley praised her and said that she felt touched by Rihanna’s performance. She also quoted Rihanna’s lyrics, saying: “May you shine like a jewel and bring honor to your country by your words and actions, and to do credit wherever your will go.”
Robyn Fenty was born in Bridgetown Barbados on 28th August 1988. In 2005, she moved to America to pursue music careers.
After a string global hit with Umbrella and SOS, the celebrity reinvented herself to become a business genius, worth several hundred million dollars.
The Prince of Wales was representing the UK in the open-air ceremony which saw Barbados swear in the president. In a speech, he stated that Barbados will always remember him as a friend.
Charles delivered a positive message and did not regret Barbadian leaders’ decision. It also recognized Britain’s part in the “appalling atrocity” of slavery.
He listed his commitments to Barbados and highlighted the continued efforts of Prince’s Trust International in support of Barbados’s youth.
Prince Charles was met by a Guard of Honour with British and Bajan anthems played alongside a twenty-one gun salute as he bid farewell to the country after attending events to mark its transition to a republic
Earlier in the day he attended a Prince’s Trust International (PTI) engagement, pictured above, at Ilaro Court in Bridgetown
Prince Charles, Chief Archivist Ingrid Thompson and Barbados’s Prime Minister Mia Mottley walk during a visit at The Barbados National Archives on Tuesday following a ceremony to mark the country’s transition to a republic
Rihanna is presented with her National Hero Insignia by Dame Sandra Mason at the Barbados Republican celebrations.
Rihanna said: ‘This is still the only place I’ve ever called home – I love Barbados, I love you guys and I pray that the youth continue to push Barbados forward’
This singer was seen receiving her National Hero award during Barbados Republican celebrations.
The ceremony celebrated Barbados’ culture, history, achievements and music with dance, song, and spoken word. A number of activists and poets criticised Barbados’ colonial past and demanded that it embrace its potential to become a republic.
Cyndi Celeste, poet, said that after several governments tried unsuccessfully to reignite the flame, today we raised the flag of a nation which no longer relies on colonial tails to define it.
“Perhaps, maybe we have become so obsessed with finding solutions to our problems that we fail to recognize the many opportunities available. We will be able to rid Barbados of its monarchy moniker and place the authority of the state within every Barbadian citizen.
This symbolic ceremony, which was held on the 55th anniversary Barbados’s independence from Britain, saw Charles get a royal salute by a guard and the Queen’s standard fly from a flagpole.
The new president was then sworn-in at midnight. She received the salute under the presidential standard that had taken the place of the royal flag.
In Bridgetown, Prince Charles is addressed by Dame Sandra Mason (seated left), as the new President of Barbados.
Rihanna was one of the guests of honor and watched as Charles said he respected its government’s decision to become a republic
Mia Mottley is the Prime Minister of Barbados. Dame Sandra Mason (right), President of Barbados, honor Rihanna during the Presidential inauguration Ceremony at Heroes Square.
Charles sits in National Heroes Square, Barbados’ capital Bridgetown during the midnight ceremony
The prince seemed to temporarily close his eyes during the ceremony as his head moved slowly forward, before looking down at the official program.
It was held in the wee hours of the morning, following a late night arrival to Barbados by the heirs to the throne.
President Mason made her first speech as head state. She said, “For over a decade we had discussion and debate about transitioning Barbados into a republic.”
“Today’s discourse and debate have transformed into action.
“Today, we set our sights on a new direction buoyed and inspired by our successes over the past 55 years.
Then she continued, “In Barbados we need to see ourselves as thought leaders or change agents actively involved in the hard business of nation building.”