Entertainment
Rihanna shares warm meeting with Prince Charles as she’s crowned a National Hero in Barbados
When RiRi met Charles (Picture: Getty/ Rex)
If there’s anyone who can make Prince Charles laugh and smile, it’s Rihanna.
The Work singer was pictured meeting the Royal heir in her native Barbados last night as she was crowned a National Hero.
Rihanna, 33, was seen greeting Charles at one point during the historic event and they appeared to be having a warm chat as the Royal was clearly laughing and smiling beneath his face mask. The singer made every effort to glam up for the ceremony as she stunned in a burnt orange, one shouldered silk gown.
Charles, 73, attended the presidential inauguration ceremony at Heroes Square, Bridgetown on Monday evening to witness Barbados become a republic and welcome its first president, Sandra Mason, after removing his mother, the Queen, as head of state.
During the ceremony, Rihanna was honoured as the country’s 11th National Hero for her achievement in entertainment and shining a positive light on Barbados globally.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley highlighted the singer’s achievements in a speech and said: ‘Commanding the imagination of the world through the pursuit of excellence, her creativity, her discipline, and above all else, her extraordinary commitment to the land of her birth.
Charles no doubt congratulated Rihanna on her honour (Picture: Reuters)
‘Having satisfied that Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty has given service to Barbados which has been exemplified by visionary and pioneering leadership, extraordinary achievement and the attaining of the highest excellence to the Government of Barbados.’
Ms Mottley added: ‘My Government has the distinct honour of recommending to the president who has kindly and graciously accepted that Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty shall have conferred upon her the order of National Hero of Barbados.’
Rihanna, who became an Ambassador of Barbados in 2018, was visibly moved by the moment and touched her chest while thanking those congratulating her nearby.
Rihanna is Barbados’ 11th National Hero (Picture: Rex Features)
Charles acknowledged the UK’s role in the transatlantic slave trade (Picture: Reuters)
Charles also delivered a speech at the ceremony and acknowledged the UK as one of the main players involved in the transatlantic slave trade, describing it as the ‘darkest days of our past’.
He said: ‘The creation of this Republic offers a new beginning, but it also marks a point on a continuum, a milestone on the long road you have not only travelled, but which you have built.
‘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.’
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He added: ‘Emancipation, self-government and Independence were your way-points. Freedom, justice and self-determination have been your guides.
‘Your long journey has brought you to this moment, not as your destination, but as a vantage point from which to survey a new horizon.’
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