Rihanna honoured as National Hero as Barbados becomes World's newest Republic after renouncing Queen Elizabeth as Head of state

Barbados has becomes the newest republic in the world after an overnight ceremony in Bridgetown which saw them removing Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of State and swearing in Dame Sandra Mason as the first ever president.

At the strike of midnight, the new republic was born to the cheers of hundreds of people lining Chamberlain Bridge in the capital, Bridgetown. A 21 gun salute fired as the national anthem of Barbados was played over a crowded Heroes Square.

The event was graced by heir to the British throne - Prince Charles and Singer Rihanna who was later declared a National Hero.

Signifying the removal of the Queen, the Royal Standard flag which represented the Queen was lowered as the new president was sworn in.

Barbados casts the removal of Elizabeth II, who is still queen of 15 other realms including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Jamaica, as a way to finally break with the demons of its colonial history.

"The creation of this republic offers a new beginning," said Prince Charles,

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

The new era for the Republic of Barbados has ended Britain's century of influence and over 200 years of slavery