Barbados celebrates its transition to a republic on its Independence Day, with members of the House of Assembly and the Senate taking their oaths of allegiance to the state at the 'National Independence Honours Ceremony' in the capital Bridgetown. The new president, Dame Sandra Mason, honours Barbadian singer Rihanna with a medal, one day after declaring her a national hero. Barbados became independent from the United Kingdom in 1966, but had until now retained Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.

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