One of Barbados' first moves after becoming a republic was to declare Rihanna a national hero

• Barbados removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and declared itself a republic on Tuesday.
• It also declared Rihanna a national hero at the ceremony.

Barbados removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and declared itself a republic as the clock turned midnight on Tuesday.

One of its first acts as the world's newest republic was to declare Rihanna a national hero, the BBC reported.

After swearing allegiance to the new president, Dame Sandra Mason, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley honored the 33-year-old Barbadian singer and entrepreneur at the country's celebrations.

According to a video published by The Guardian, Mottley told the singer: "On 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."

"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 added, referencing Rihanna's song "Diamonds."

Plans to remove the Queen as the institutional monarch were first announced in September 2020, Insider's Mikhaila Friel previously reported.

Reading a speech written by Mottley at the state opening of parliament at the time, Mason said: "The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind," according to The Guardian.

"Barbadians want a Barbadian head of state. This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving," she added.

Barbados' tourism website notes that the nation was ruled by the British crown for almost 400 years before gaining independence in 1966, but the Queen remained head of state until Tuesday.

The ceremony took place on the 55th anniversary of this date and saw Prince Charles, who arrived at the Caribbean island on Monday according to The Royal Family YouTube channel, address guests with a speech.

According to The Independent, he said that the creation of the republic "offers a new beginning" and acknowledged the part that Britain played in the transatlantic slave trade.

"From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude," he added.

The Queen said the island nation has a "special place" in her heart for "its vibrant culture, its sporting prowess, and its natural beauty," in a letter to Mason, posted to Twitter on Tuesday by The Sunday Times' Royal Editor Roya Nikkhah.

She also offered "warmest good wishes for your happiness, peace, and prosperity in the future."

Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.