When Prince Harry met Rihanna

Prince Harry met one of Barbados' most celebrated daughters, pop star Rihanna - as he read a message of support from the Queen to mark the 50th anniversary of the nation's independence.

The singer was a surprise guest - for the Prince at least - at the annual Toast the Nation event celebrating national achievements.

The Queen's grandson read a message from the monarch where she paid tribute to Barbados and its people who, since achieving independence from the UK on November 30 1966, "have continued to flourish and grow into a strong and confident nation".

The Prince and the celebrity, famed for hits like S&M and Umbrella, shook hands briefly inside a marquee shortly after he had arrived at the event in the capital Bridgetown.

Photo / Getty Images

Rihanna, who was born in parish of Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, sat at the same table as Guyana's president David Granger, just across from the Prince's table.

With the Prince's Caribbean tour ending in Guyana this weekend, he walked over to say hello to the president first and kept the singer waiting before turning to say hello and shake hands.

"Hello, it's very nice to meet you," said the Prince who wore his medals, and around his neck his insignia as a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

Photo / Getty Images

A senior royal aide later revealed that the Prince had been told 20 minutes before he arrived that Rihanna would be there.

He said: "We thought he would be meeting her for the first time at the concert later. He found out just before arriving. About 20 minutes before, that she would be here and sitting near his table."

- Daily Mail