Prince Harry celebrates Barbados independence with Rihanna

Britain's Prince Harry joined Rihanna in celebrating 50 years of independence for her native Barbados.

The prince, visiting the sixth of seven nations on a two-week Caribbean tour, and the singer shared the stage Wednesday night with the prime minister during a concert and dance performance marking the date the island broke away from Britain.

Prince Harry and Rihanna share the stage

8 years ago

Duration 1:06

Prince Harry and singer Rihanna helped kick off Barbados' Golden Anniversary Spectacular Mega Concert to celebrate the country's 50th anniversary of independence

Harry read a message from Queen Elizabeth II congratulating Barbados and saying that the island should be "rightfully proud" of a vibrant culture and natural beauty. He spoke before a crowd of about 20,000 people at the Kensington Oval cricket ground.

He also encouraged residents to work together to confront challenges such as climate change and the effects of technology on the job market.

"The solutions to these challenges will not come from anyone else. The answers must come from you," he said. "Good things happen to good people. Believe you can make change, and if you lead by example, others will follow."

Earlier, Rihanna and Harry met at the airport, and then marked World AIDS Day on Thursday by visiting an HIV clinic in Bridgetown and being tested for the disease. The prince took a public HIV test this summer as part of a campaign to raise public awareness.

"I want to say to everyone who hasn't been tested: Get tested, regardless of who you are, your background, culture or religion," he said while visiting the clinic in the capital of Barbados.

Harry is on a two-week tour of the Caribbean that is also a celebration of the 90th birthday of his grandmother the queen.

He will stop next in Guyana, where he is expected to make a trip to the rainforest, meet with President David Granger and place a wreath at a memorial to that country's independence.