The online buzz over high profile Britons' ties to the trans-Atlantic slave trade put attention on the ongoing reparations push in Barbados, and other Caribbean nations.

With cheers and fireworks, the island nation became a parliamentary republic, swore in its first president and declared Barbadian-born Rihanna a national hero.

Dame Sandra Mason previously served as governor general. Barbados hopes to become a republic before the 55th anniversary of its independence from Britain in November.