Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made an unexpected appearance at the Bob Marley One Love premiere in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday.
While the Sussex Squad claimed that Jamaica adored the couple and believed they should be crowned King and Queen of the Commonwealth, the reality was quite different.
As Harry and Meghan walked hand in hand towards the entrance, they were met with boos and profanity from the crowd.
One man even loudly yelled an expletive directed at the couple.
Meghan quickly pulled Harry along, urging him to walk faster.
Despite the unwelcome reception, Harry and Meghan posed for photographs with a number of public figures, including Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, politician Marley Malahou-Forte, and Brian Robbins, the President and Chief Executive of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon.
However, their decision to spend time with Holness drew criticism, as he has previously advocated for Jamaica to sever ties with the United Kingdom.
This is particularly sensitive given the recent health struggles of King Charles and Princess Catherine of Wales, as it suggests insensitivity towards the monarchy.
Royal expert Phil Dampier expressed his opinion on the matter, stating that it seems Harry and Meghan attend any event these days.
He clarified that under normal circumstances, there would be no issue with them attending a film premiere.
However, considering the current situation with Harry’s father and Jamaica’s desire to distance itself from the monarchy, their appearance appears rather insensitive.
Dampier further added that while the couple may feel at home in Jamaica, their actions send a message of support for the country while neglecting to publicly show support for the King and Princess of Wales.
This appearance once again highlights the stark contrast between the world they now inhabit and the one they used to belong to.
Critics have been quick to condemn the couple’s actions.
Mike Perry, speaking on GB News, claimed that Harry and Meghan are simply trying to fill their time because they have nothing else to do.
He also criticized them for associating with Jamaican politicians who have expressed a desire to break away from the United Kingdom and reject King Charles as their head of state.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams echoed these sentiments, stating that the photo opportunity in Jamaica was in poor taste.
He believed that the couple purposely staged this appearance to garner publicity during a challenging week for the royal family, with the King’s hospitalization and Catherine’s recovery from surgery.
In addition, Lady Colin Campbell has accused Meghan Markle and Prince Harry of exploiting every situation and intentionally avoiding making public statements regarding the health issues affecting the royal family.
Lady Sea questioned why the couple had not publicly acknowledged the health concerns of their family members back in Britain, suggesting that there may be ulterior motives behind their silence.
She expressed her suspicion that they are willing to exploit any situation as long as they do not make a public declaration.
Lady Colin Campbell concluded by stating that the entire situation reeks of dishonesty.
The unexpected negative reception at the Bob Marley premiere in Jamaica has further fueled the ongoing debate surrounding Harry and Meghan.
Their decision to attend the event, despite the criticism and controversy it sparked, has only intensified the scrutiny they face.
As they continue to navigate their new roles outside the royal family, it remains to be seen how their actions will be perceived and what impact they will have on their public image.