Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: Conflicting reactions sparked by royals’ trip

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance in Jamaica last night (23 January) for the movie premiere of the Bob Marley: One Love film.

Meghan Markle Prince Harry movie premiere
© Kevin Mazur / GETTY IMAGES
Meghan Markle Prince Harry movie premiere

Far away from the woes the Royal Family is going through in the UK, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle flew to Jamaica to attend a movie premiere.

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The appearance took everyone by surprise as no leaks to the press were made prior to it. Reactions to the event vary but one thing is for sure, the Sussexes know how to get people talking!

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Jamaica

Waking up on 24 January, the fact that the Sussexes made their way to Jamaica for a movie premiere was everywhere.

While there are rumours that the couple is being cast aside in Hollywood, last night seemed to prove otherwise as they rubbed elbows and shook hands with the president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon as well as the cast of the movie.

They were also seen with the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness. In January 2023, Forbes reported on the Prime Minister’s will to ‘move ahead with speed’ towards a republic and severing ties with the British monarchy. Indeed, though Jamaica has been independent since 1962, the British Monarch remains Head of State.

A controversial Jamaican trip

As expected, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit has been highly scrutinised and, very quickly, criticised.

Daily Mail called out the visit’s timing and wrote that the couple is ‘insensitive’ for going to such an event while the King is set to have surgery and the Princess of Wales is recovering from hers.

In the comments of the article, readers seem to agree. Here are some samples:

They have NO shame
This shouldn't surprise anyone as they only care about themselves

However, on X, users of the social media platform don’t seem to share the same sentiment.

Meghan and Harry are showing them how it’s done. Her elegance, posture, how she effortlessly brightens every room she enters should be
As someone said, “no duty, no cry.” When they remove you from the table, you create your own. Prince Harry & Meghan w/Jamaica’s Prime Minister at the One Love premiere in Jamaica. 🥂
Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex radiating nothing but peace and joy😍😍

What do you make of the Sussexes’ visit to Jamaica?

Read more:

Meghan Markle in the spotlight during Golden Globes despite absence: Why didn't she attend?

Prince Harry: A body language expert claims to know how the royal really feels about Kate Middleton

King Charles and Kate Middleton both in hospital: Who could take over for the monarch if he’s incapacitated?

Sources:

Forbes: Jamaica’s Prime Minister Pushes Forward To Make Nation A Republic

Daily Mail: Meghan and Harry pose next to anti-royal Jamaican Prime Minister who wants to ditch the monarchy and warned Wills and Kate they'll never be King and Queen of his nation - as Charles undergoes prostate surgery and the Princess of Wales recovers in hospital

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Royal expert claims Meghan Markle is behind Prince Harry and Prince William’s communication Royal expert claims Meghan Markle is behind Prince Harry and Prince William’s communication