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Rihanna undergoes AIDS test with Prince Harry

Written by . Published: December 01 2016

Singer Rihanna and Prince Harry brought awareness to the global AIDS fight in Barbados on Thursday (01Dec16) by undergoing a live test for the disease.


The Umbrella hitmaker returned to the island nation to represent her country on Wednesday and met the British royal at the Toast to the Nation event, held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Barbados' independence from the British Empire.


On Thursday, Rihanna and Prince Harry reunited for a World AIDS Day event, during which medical professionals tested them for the blood disease.


"You made it seem like it hurts," Rihanna joked as her finger was pricked. "It's not as painful as you said this morning."


Both tests came back negative.


Prince Harry explained he wanted to showcase how easy it is to undergo AIDS testing, while stressing the importance of treating the virus with the proper medication.


"It is amazing how quick it is," he said. "So whether you're a man, woman, gay, straight, black or white - even ginger - why wouldn't you come and have a test?"


The AIDS test was hastily arranged after Harry spoke with Rihanna backstage at the Golden Anniversary Spectacular Mega Concert on Wednesday.


A spokesperson for Kensington Palace says. "This was only arranged last night. Prince Harry asked her at the concert. They spoke after he had given his speech. They spoke for about 15 minutes. She was very happy to do it.


"She has had people in her life that she has known, who have died from AIDS. She said this is important and she wanted to do this. She has tens of millions of followers on social media alone. Her people are confident that she can reach a billion people through social media."


The royal heir arrived in Barbados earlier this week (begs28Nov16) and kicked off his visit with a stop at the Nightingale Children's Home, which provides accommodation and care for kids under the age of 18.


He also headed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Wednesday to spend time with sick children, six years after his last visit. His two-week tour of the Caribbean will wrap up this weekend (03-04Dec16) with a trip to Guyana.

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