But Rihanna cut a far more sophisticated figure today as she attended the funeral of late Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson.

The 22-year-old wore a Jackie O-esque black hat and sunglasses, with a cream top and long black trousers.

Rihanna tweeted: 'Just got off of a plane ride and got horrible news that our little star Shannon Tavarez has lost her battle against leukemia! Way too soon keep her family in your prayers.'

Rihanna and the late PM of Barbados, David Thompson

Amidst a background of solemnity, tears, pageantry and religious tradition, tens of thousands of people in Barbados paid their final respects to David Thompson, Barbados Prime Minister who died almost two weeks ago from pancreatic cancer.

The state funeral held at historic Kensington Oval, just outside of Bridgetown, featured religious music, prayers, tributes and a video presentation of his daughters and mourners heard Bruce Golding, Jamaicas Prime Minister and the current Chairman of Caricom describe Thompson as a committed integrationist who said what he meant and meant what he said. He was a leader, Golding added, who in a short period of time at Barbados helm, showed he was committed to its development and as Prime Minister with lead responsibility for the Caribbean Single Market and Economy advanced the cause of regional integration.

His timely and effective interventions, his calmness even in contentious debates that were so often tempered with his inimitable dry humor, Golding said. Today, we bid him farewell and even though we mourn his passing, we celebrate his life and we give thanks that he honored us by sharing so much of that life with us and giving so much of that life to us.

West Indies Anglican Archbishop, the Most Rev, John Holder, who delivered the address, spoke about the harsh reality of death which was at the heart of the Christian faith, and which often struck at what may seem to us as the most undeserving time.

Archbishop Holder who is also Bishop of Barbados urged people to live in hope during this time of deep sadness.

Do not let the pain and the loss drown out the hope, he added. For hope there must be if you are going to see today and this time of grief and pain as one of the phases that you are passing through. The trail of life that leads us to the gates of death may prompt us sometimes to ask if this is all there is to it. We may ask is there no more to life than a walk to death. We say yes there is more. For with the conviction of St. Paul we can proclaim that not even death can separate us from the Love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. With several prominent Barbadian and Caribbean public figures, including Caricom heads of government, the Archbishop said that Thompson has left us enough in his short life to inspire us to carry on.

Thompsons body was later driven to St. Johns Parish church where he buried. He had represented St. John in the Barbados House of Assembly for nearly a quarter of a century, beginning in 1987.Thompson was 48 years old when he died.

The funeral service and burial ceremony were broadcast live on radio and television around the world via the Internet.

Sad: Rihanna says she will never forgive herself for missing best friend Katy Perry's wedding

The singer recently spoke out about her best friend Katy Perry's wedding, which she missed due to work commitments.

And she claims to be overcome with guilt at not being able to attend the ceremony.

'I will never ever forgive myself for that, it was a crazy time, it was a crazy week, I'm switching management,' she told Ryan Seacrest.

'There was no phone service in India and very little-to-no internet service, so it would have been a little irresponsible of me. I'm sad that I missed it.'

The Umbrella star made sure to give newlyweds Katy and Russell Brand a fantastic gift - but she won't divulge details.

She says: 'I got her a really, really cool gift. But I'll let her tell you about that!'

According to sources, Katy and Russell had reserved Rihanna a room at the Aman-i-Khas resort in Rajasthan, India, just in case she made it.