United States Vice President Kamala Harris now has orchids in her name, complete with a birth certificate.
Harris, 56, who is in town for a three-day bilateral visit, was presented with a pot of vibrant purple orchids in the company of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, a long-standing Singapore tradition of recognizing prolific figures. A reporter from Bloomberg shared the moment online when Harris received the orchids’ birth certificate, looking somewhat surprised.
“Oh there’s a birth certificate,” reporter Jenny Leonard quoted her as saying, adding: “Well I’m pleased to welcome this orchid into the world.”
The orchid was presented to her at the Istana presidential palace.
The orchid naming ceremony, via @tparti: @VP said “oh it’s beautiful and I’m honored.” She was also presented with a birth certificate for the flower. “Oh there’s a birth certificate,” she said with a laugh.
“Well I’m pleased to welcome this orchid into the world,” she said. pic.twitter.com/BbHvheOrfk
— Jenny Leonard (@jendeben) August 23, 2021
Harris arrived in Singapore yesterday and has been escorted by an elaborate convoy of some 40 vehicles. She is expected to join Lee in a press conference today and meet with President Halimah Yacob.
She will also deliver a policy speech and engage in a roundtable tomorrow with Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong. She is also scheduled for a visit to the Changi Naval Base where she will board the US littoral combat ship USS Tulsa, before leaving for Vietnam.
Others who had orchids named after them in the past include former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, members of the British royal family, and former South African president Nelson Mandela.
Prime Minister Lee officially welcomes @VP Harris to Singapore. pic.twitter.com/vWwzVcxMic
— Jenny Leonard (@jendeben) August 23, 2021
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