In a recent statement, Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica has responded to the criticism in the British media regarding his meeting with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The royal couple attended the global premiere of the Bob Marley 1 love film last Monday, where they were seen interacting with Holness, members of his administration, and various local and international celebrities.
However, the British media quickly labeled Harry as insensitive for posing with Jamaica’s anti-royalist Prime Minister.
The term “anti-royalist” refers to Holness’ previous message to Prince William during a 2022 tour of the Caribbean.
Holness expressed Jamaica’s intent to transition from its current system of government, with the king as head of state, to a republican system.
Given this context, a British commentator described Harry and Meghan’s visit to Jamaica as tone-deaf, especially as it coincided with King Charles’ hospitalization due to an undisclosed illness.
Addressing the controversy at the official launch of the Jamaica Screen Development Initiative, a $1 billion financing program aimed at supporting the local screen-based industries, Holness expressed surprise at being drawn into internal issues within the UK.
He stated that he was pleased to attend the premiere of the Bob Marley biopic but had no intention of meeting with Harry and Meghan.
Nonetheless, Holness humorously acknowledged that their presence undoubtedly brought more publicity to Jamaica.
During his visit to the film’s production set, the Prime Minister had the opportunity to interact with the cast members.
He noted their deep appreciation for Jamaican culture, describing their experience as akin to coming home and making connections with Jamaica’s impact on the world, particularly through the legacy of Bob Marley.
It is worth mentioning that during a previous royal visit, Prime Minister Holness had gifted Prince William a bottle of high-quality rum.
However, the meeting with Harry was not part of any scheduled arrangement, and the Prime Minister had no plans to meet with him or Meghan.
In fact, a photograph of Holness and his wife alongside the couple suggests that they were not particularly thrilled with the encounter.
Adding to the intrigue, a viral video clip captured Meghan whispering into Prince Harry’s ear on a red carpet in Jamaica.
Body language expert Judy James suggests that this private communication may carry a complex message.
Whispering, according to James, can convey intricate meanings depending on the context and manner in which it occurs.
She speculates that Meghan may be employing secretive rituals of communication, reminding Harry of their roles and responsibilities as a couple.
James also highlights the existence of “tie signs” between couples, such as a hand on the arm or a wink, which convey unspoken thoughts.
In this particular instance, she suggests that Meghan’s whispered words may have caused Harry’s smile to fade, indicating a subtle reminder to moderate his happiness or to ensure he mentions her voiceover work.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ response to the controversy surrounding his meeting with Harry and Meghan demonstrates his surprise at being unwittingly drawn into internal UK issues.
Despite the media scrutiny, Holness remains focused on the positive impact the royal couple’s presence had on promoting Jamaica.
The incident also provides an opportunity to reflect on the complexities of non-verbal communication within relationships, as highlighted by body language expert Judy James.