- Title: Prince Harry, Rihanna center stage at Barbados concert
- Date: 1st December 2016
- Summary: ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** MINISTER THANKING THE INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION RIHANNA, PRINCE HARRY LISTENING TO PRAYER PRIME MINISTER FREUNDEL STUART INTRODUCING GUESTS ON STAGE RIHANNA LAUGHING AS AUDIENCE CHEERS FOR HER CHILDREN FROM CHOIR (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S PRINCE HARRY, SAYING: "Good evening Barbados. Thank you Prime Minister. This is definitely not working (microphone). I am honored to be here representing my grandmother the queen as we celebrate the historic milestone of 50 years of independence of this beautiful nation. Her Majesty visited your beautiful country on the eve of independence in early 1966. The people of Barbados have held a special place in her heart ever since." (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S PRINCE HARRY, SAYING: "You should be very proud to be Barbadians. You should be proud of the country that your parents and grandparents have built." CHILDREN FROM CHOIR LISTENING ON (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S PRINCE HARRY, SAYING: "I know so many Barbadians are already making a big impact. What I've seen throughout the region and right here in Barbados, is that anyone looking for young role models will find them here in the Caribbean. It is now my great pleasure to invite one of them to join me on stage. Can I please introduce you to one of your own, Jamilla Sealy. (applause) Jamilla is passionate about the environment. She teaches environmental science to children and helps organize communities here in Barbados to keep beaches clean and to understand the threats posed by climate change." FLAG BEING WAVED IN AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S PRINCE HARRY, SAYING: "Jamilla is already a strong Barbadian leader and tonight I am delighted to announce that she can now call herself one of the Queen's Young Leaders of 2017." (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITAIN'S PRINCE HARRY, SAYING: "Let me end by offering my congratulations to Barbados for 50 years of independence. You are a remarkable nation and I have no doubt that you have a remarkable future ahead. Thank you and have a great night." PEOPLE IN AUDIENCE HOLDING UP CELL PHONES GROUP PHOTO ON STAGE, INCLUDING PRINCE HARRY, RIHANNA AND PRIME MINISTER FREUNDEL STUART SHOT OF CROWD
- Embargoed: 16th December 2016 05:58
- Keywords: Britain's Prince Harry singer Rihanna Barbados' Golden Anniversary Spectacular Mega Concert
- Location: BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS
- Reuters ID: LVA0035B1WYMX
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Britain's Prince Harry and singer Rihanna helped kick-off Barbados' Golden Anniversary Spectacular Mega Concert to celebrate the country's 50th independence anniversary on Wednesday (November 30).
Barbados-native Rihanna was welcomed to the stage in the country's capital city of Bridgetown before the National Youth Choir sang the national anthem. The pop star sang along as she stood beside Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxine McClean, Prince Harry and Prime Minister Freundel Stuart.
The prince addressed the crowd gathered at Kensington Oval stadium and said he was delighted to be in attendance for the nation's special day.
"I am honored to be here representing my grandmother the queen as we celebrate the historic milestone of 50 years of independence of this beautiful nation, Prince Harry announced to a crowd of around 20,000 people, according to organizers.
He also introduced 28-year-old Jamilla Sealy, the recipient of a 2017 Queen's Young Leaders Award.
"Jamilla is passionate about the environment. She teaches environmental science to children and helps organize communities here in Barbados to keep beaches clean and to understand the threats posed by climate change," the prince said.
Sixty young people aged 18 to 29 in the Commonwealth have been recognized by Queen Elizabeth for driving change within their communities.
Barbadian talent took to the stage after Rihanna and Prince Harry exited, with singers and dancers representing the musical celebration of the 'Golden Anniversary Mega Concert.'
Earlier in the evening, the prince attended a ceremony where he helped reveal the 'Barbados at 50 National Monument' at the Garrison Savannah in St. Michael.
The monument, designed by 24-year-old art student Taisha Carrington, commemorates the island nation's 50th anniversary of Independence. The event was rescheduled from the previous day due to heavy rain and flooding in some areas of the island.
Prince Harry is on a 15-day tour of Caribbean countries, where Queen Elizabeth is head of state.
As the Queen's representative, Harry has visited Barbuda and Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia as well as Barbados. He will end his tour in the Commonwealth nation of Guyana. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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