Rihanna, Barbados' national hero

• Singer Rihanna, born in Barbados, was decorated at the transition of powers ceremony
• "May you continue to shine like a diamond," Prime Minister Mia Mottley wished her
• The Caribbean country has disassociated itself from the British monarchy, 55 years after its independence

The island of Barbados is celebrating. The Caribbean country is already a republic, 55 years after achieving its independence from the United Kingdom, although it continued to maintain Queen Elizabeth II as sovereign. For two days, the youngest republic in the world is celebrating the transfer of power with the presence of Prince Charles of England and his most illustrious citizen, the singer Rihanna. 

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has decorated 33-year-old Rihanna as a national hero supported by the cheers in her hometown of Bridgetown.

 " May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honor to your nation with your work, and with your actions," Mia Mottley

Mottley referred to her single Diamonds, which topped the charts of 2012.

"The moment to leave our colonial past behind"

The Prince of Wales arrived on Sunday on the island on behalf of the queen to participate in official ceremonies, coinciding with the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the country's independence from the British Empire. The decision to renounce the monarchy and opt for the republic was made a year ago.

"The time has come to leave our colonial past behind," Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced then. "It is our definitive statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving," he added. The current Governor-General of Barbados,  Dame Sandra Mason, has been named the first Barbadian President. 

Barbados is the last country to renounce the Queen of England as head of state and follows in the footsteps of countries such as Mauritius (1992), Trinidad and Tobago (1976), Dominica (1978), and Guyana (1970).