Did Rihanna just deny the pregnancy rumours?

Fashion and beauty mogul Rihanna is once again the subject of pregnancy rumours after her recent visit to her home country Barbados, during its festivities as it became a republic.

Rihanna wore a body-hugging one-shoulder burnt orange dress by Bottega Veneta for the historic ceremony as Barbados officially cut ties with the United Kingdom.

The singer was named a national hero by the country’s Prime Minister Mia Mottley. While Barbados remains in the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II is no longer its head of state.

What had people talking, however, was the appearance of Rihanna repeatedly holding her stomach during the ceremony, with many assuming she was pregnant.

This is not the first time the Fenty Beauty owner has had to deal with such reports. The singer is currently dating rapper Asap Rocky and the couple went public earlier this year.

The “Rihanna Navy” – a nickname for the singer’s fans – aren’t happy with the media reports saying she is pregnant.

Rihanna has, however, not commented on the pregnancy rumours.

Fan page, FentyStats, shared a purported Instagram direct message from the Work singer in which she allegedly brushed off the pregnancy rumours.

Twitter users are still speculating about the news, with many memes doing the rounds already.

Mottley, in her speech honouring Rihanna, said the singer had brought pride to her country.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, but an even prouder people, we, therefore, present to you, the designee, for the national hero of Barbados, ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty. May you continue to shine like a diamond and continue to bring honour to your nation by your words, by your actions, and to do credit wherever you shall go…

“Above all else, commanding the imagination of the world through the pursuit of excellence with her creativity, her discipline and above all else, her extraordinary commitment to the land of her birth.”

Compiled by Sandisiwe Mbhele