The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, made an uninvited appearance at the premiere of the Bob Marley biopic, One Love, in Jamaica.
However, their presence was met with disapproval by Rita Marley, the widow of the legendary reggae singer.
Rita Marley stated that Harry and Meghan had approached her, begging for permission to make a speech at the event, claiming to be avid fans of Bob Marley and his music.
Nevertheless, Rita Marley firmly refused their request, emphasizing that they had no authority to speak on behalf of her late husband or his legacy.
Harry and Meghan had traveled to Jamaica as guests of Paramount Pictures CEO Brian Robbins, hoping to mingle with celebrities and dignitaries at the premiere held at the Carib Theatre in Kingston on Tuesday night.
Unfortunately for them, Rita Marley, accompanied by her son Ziggy and other members of the Marley family, did not extend a warm welcome to the royal couple.
Rita Marley, who oversaw the production of the biopic and approved the film, visibly expressed annoyance upon seeing Harry and Meghan on the red carpet engaged in conversation with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Robbins.
According to Rita Marley, Harry and Meghan had approached her before the screening, seeking her permission to address the audience and express their admiration for Bob Marley and his music.
They claimed to be ardent fans of the reggae icon and wanted to share their appreciation with the world.
Additionally, they expressed a desire to show support for Jamaica and its culture, as they had visited the country numerous times and felt a strong connection to it.
Nonetheless, Rita Marley remained unimpressed by their pleas, promptly rejecting their request.
She informed them that they had no business speaking at the premiere since they were not invited by her or the film’s producers.
Rita Marley further accused them of exploiting Bob Marley and his film as a mere publicity stunt, labeling their actions as disrespectful, opportunistic, and hypocritical.
She firmly instructed them to stay away from her and her family.
Rita Marley’s revelation was corroborated by leaked camera footage, which showed Harry and Meghan engaging in conversation with Rita Marley, requesting her permission to make a speech.
The footage also captured Rita Marley’s angry and dismissive reaction as she rebuffed their advances and told them to find their seats.
Shocked and embarrassed by the encounter, Harry and Meghan had no choice but to sit in silence and watch the film.
They refrained from clapping or cheering and left the theater immediately after the film ended, without bidding farewell to anyone.
They did not interact with Rita Marley or any of the film’s stars, including Kingsley Benatar, who portrays Bob Marley, and Lashawna Lynch, who portrays Rita Marley.
This incident has shed light on Harry and Meghan’s desperation and delusion as they continue to seek attention and validation from the public.
It has also exposed their lack of respect and appreciation for Bob Marley and his legacy, which they attempted to exploit for personal gain.
Consequently, they have faced a barrage of criticism and ridicule on social media, with many users condemning their rude and arrogant behavior.
One Twitter user expressed, “Harry and Meghan are so clueless and entitled.
They think they can speak for Bob Marley and his fans, but they have no idea what he stood for or what he means to us.
They are not welcome in Jamaica or in the reggae community.
They should be ashamed of themselves.”
Another user commented, “Rita Marley is a legend and a queen.
She has every right to refuse Harry and Meghan, who are nothing but fame-hungry leeches.
They have no respect for Bob Marley or his film.
They should go back to their mansion in California and leave us alone.”
As of now, Harry and Meghan have chosen not to comment on the incident or apologize to Rita Marley or the film’s team.
They are expected to return to the United States soon, where they will face further scrutiny and criticism.