The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, faced further criticism following their appearance at the premiere of the Bob Marley biopic, “One Love,” in Jamaica.
A leaked clip has emerged showing Rita Marley, the widow of the legendary reggae singer, ordering the couple to vacate the VIP section and move to the strangers’ area.
This incident has shed light on the disdain and disrespect shown by Rita Marley towards Harry and Meghan, who attended the event without an invitation.
Harry and Meghan had flown to Jamaica as guests of Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins, with the intention of mingling with celebrities and dignitaries at the premiere held at the Carib Theatre in Kingston on Tuesday night.
However, their presence was not welcomed by Rita Marley, who was accompanied by her son Ziggy and other members of the Marley family.
Rita Marley, overseeing the production of the biopic and having given her blessing to the film, became visibly annoyed upon seeing Harry and Meghan chatting with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Robbins on the red carpet.
Witnesses report that Rita Marley, who had reserved front row seats for herself, the film’s cast, and crew, became furious upon noticing Harry and Meghan sitting in the VIP section next to Holness and Robbins.
Allegedly, she instructed the ushers to relocate the couple to the back of the theater and assign their seats to invited guests who were left without seating.
Rita Marley was livid that Harry and Meghan had arrived uninvited and claimed the VIP seats.
She believed they were attempting to hijack the event and overshadow her late husband’s legacy and the film’s message of love and peace.
Consequently, she did not want them near her or the hardworking individuals involved in the film.
A bystander recorded a clip capturing Rita Marley confronting Harry and Meghan, demanding they leave the VIP section.
The couple appeared shocked and embarrassed, attempting to reason with her.
However, Rita Marley dismissed their arguments, stating they had no right to sit there as they were neither part of the Marley family nor the film’s team.
She further accused them of lacking respect or appreciation for Bob Marley’s life, music, and impact, suggesting they were merely using him and his film as a publicity stunt.
The clip also revealed ushers escorting Harry and Meghan to the back of the theater, where they faced boos and jeers from other guests.
Unhappy and uncomfortable, the couple watched the film in silence without clapping or cheering.
As soon as the film ended, they left the theater without bidding farewell to anyone, including Rita Marley or the film’s stars, such as Kingsley Benatar, who portrays Bob Marley, and Lashana Lynch, who portrays Rita Marley.
This clip has ignited a backlash against Harry and Meghan on social media, with many users accusing them of rudeness, arrogance, and attention-seeking behavior.
Some have pointed out the irony of their actions, given their repeated claims of valuing privacy and respect for others.
Criticism has poured in, with one Twitter user expressing, “Harry and Meghan are so clueless and entitled.
They think they can crash any event and get away with it.
They have no respect for Rita Marley or Bob Marley’s legacy.
They should be ashamed of themselves.”
Another user commented, “Rita Marley is a legend and a queen.
She has every right to order Harry and Meghan to leave the VIP section.
They are nothing but fame-hungry leeches with no respect for Bob Marley or his film.
They should return to their mansion in California and leave us alone.”
As of now, Harry and Meghan have not addressed the clip or offered an apology to Rita Marley or the film’s team.
They are expected to return to the United States soon, where they will likely face further scrutiny and criticism for their actions.