New Zealand teenage singer Lorde has become the first woman in almost two decades to top the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in the United States.
Royals by the 16-year-old from Auckland's North Shore, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O'Connor, is the first song by a solo female artist to claim the No 1 spot since 1996.
The last solo female artist to reach No 1 on the chart was American singer Tracy Bonham, who says reaching the top will open doors for the New Zealander's career.
"I think that she's got a future ahead of her, which is really exciting, and she's super young. I think there's many opportunities and exciting experiences out there for her.
"If she handles it well, she'll be able to manage a career and she'll have good luck, and I wish her all the best."
Lorde signed a music deal with Universal Records when she was 12 and is currently on tour in the US.
