24 January 2024 , 10:39
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have raised eyebrows by cosying up to the Jamaican Prime Minister, who wants the country to sever ties with the monarchy.
The Sussexes were photographed with the Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the screening of Bob Marley: One Love, a film celebrating the late reggae singer's life. Meghan, 42, wore a long, black A-line skirt with gold earrings and had her hair in a slicked-back bun, while Harry, 39, was dressed in a dark suit and open-necked white shirt. Mr Holness and his wife Juliet were seen smiling broadly as they posed alongside Harry and Meghan - in stark contrast to when the Prince and Princess of Wales met the politician in March 2022 during their tour of the Caribbean.
Harry and Meghan at the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love, a film celebrating the late reggae singer's life (Getty Images)The Prime Minister is pushing ahead with plans for Jamaica to become a republic. He told Prince William and Kate during their 2022 tour that his country is 'moving on' and intends to "fulfil our true ambitions and destiny as an independent, developed, prosperous country".
In addition, Harry and Meghan also posed with Jamaica’s minister of legal and constitutional affairs, Marlene Malahoo Forte. Mrs Malahoo Forte told Sky News ahead of the King's Coronation last May that an 'urgent' referendum could be held as early as 2024 to 'sever ties' and remove Charles as Jamaica's monarch. "(Republicanism) is about us saying goodbye to a form of government that is linked to a painful past of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade," she said.
William and Kate with Mr Holness and his wife in Jamaica in March 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)Harry and Meghan's appearance at the film premiere also came as King Charles prepares to go into hospital for a procedure to correct an enlarged prostate and while Kate recovers at the London Clinic following abdominal surgery last week. And royal expert Phil Dampier told MailOnline: "Under normal circumstances, there would be nothing wrong with them going to a film premiere. But at a time when his father is going under the knife and Jamaica is making noises about ditching the monarchy, this is rather insensitive."
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While fellow expert Richard Fitzwilliam added: "This is a difficult period for the monarchy with Catherine in hospital and King Charles about to undergo an operation for an enlarged prostate. The Sussexes have sent good wishes privately. However, their appearance in Jamaica clearly sends a message."
As well as Jamaican politicians, the couple also posed for photos with Paramount Pictures chief executive Brian Robbins at the Carib 5 cinema in the capital Kingston. Bob Marley's son Ziggy was also in attendance. The Marley biopic will be released in February and stars British actors Kingsley Ben-Adir as Marley and Lashana Lynch as his wife, Rita.
Harry travelled to Jamaica in 2012 representing his grandmother, the late Queen, during a celebratory Diamond Jubilee tour. The overseas trip was hailed a resounding success, with Harry sprinting with Olympic 100m champion Usain Bolt and dancing to Marley’s music in Kingston.