The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were all smiles on the red carpet premiere of ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ in Jamaica this week.
But the King’s second son attracted criticism for choosing to pose with Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, who wants to cut ties with the British monarchy and make Jamaica a republic.
Mr Holness contributed to Prince William and Catherine’s difficult Caribbean tour in 2022 by telling the royal couple, in front of the media, “we are moving on”.
It is understood the country is pushing forward with plans for a republic referendum later this year.
So perhaps sceptics will consider Prince Harry and Meghan’s friendly-looking greeting with Jamaica’s top politician as a dig at the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the monarchy’s historic ties to the nation.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were all smiles on the red carpet premiere of ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ in Jamaica this week.
Getty
It could also be seen as a reminder that the Royal Family lost a valuable asset when Harry and Meghan stepped back as working royals.
Prince Harry’s 2016 Caribbean tour proved a hit with locals and was widely seen as a success due to its ‘formal but fun’ approach.
The late Queen also made Harry and Meghan Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors, which could have helped younger generations embrace the benefits of the institution.
The Commonwealth helps to “strengthen governance, build inclusive institutions and promote justice and human rights.”
Harry and Meghan’s modern perspective could have made it easier for the monarchy to connect with Caribbean communities, where calls for reparations for the British monarchy’s historical role in the Atlantic slave trade continue to be made.
But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and the Royal Household, chose to part ways instead.
The King’s second son attracted criticism for choosing to pose with Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness.
Getty
Harry and Meghan are now free to choose who they are pictured with, and the monarchy’s relationship with Caribbean nations is much more delicate - especially after allegations of unconscious bias, made by Meghan.
The premier pictures could be particularly awkward for King Charles, who’s his son (Harry) was snapped socialising with a man wanting to remove Charles as Head of State.
By extension, the UK Government usually advises whether it is appropriate for a member of the Royal Family to meet a specific politician.
Although King Charles and his government believe it is up to individual countries to choose their own paths, it is a reminder that the fifth in line to the throne is no longer bound by the status quo.
The boss of Paramount Pictures, Brian Robbins, was also seen mingling with Harry and Meghan at the premiere.
Was this Harry and Meghan’s chance to network with yet another streaming giant, having prematurely been cut out of a multimillion-dollar deal?
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
The boss of Paramount Pictures, Brian Robbins, was also seen mingling with Harry and Meghan at the premiere.
Getty
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex parted ways with Spotify after just one season of Meghan’s podcast “Archetypes”.
A Spotify executive later branded the pair “grifters”.
It has been widely speculated that Harry and Meghan were lobbying the Paramount boss for another potential streaming deal in the absence of Spotify.
If true, Prince Harry would argue he needs the money to pay security guards to keep his family safe.
His critics have branded him ‘insensitive’ for mingling on a red carpet the week his father and sister-in-law receive hospital treatment.
No details of a potential streaming deal between The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Paramount, have been confirmed.