The widow of reggae legend Bob Marley praised Prince Harry's rebellious spirit and described him as “fearless” after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex got into a political firestorm by feuding with Jamaica's anti-royalist prime minister at the premiere of a new biopic about them friendly husband.
Web can reveal the Duke made a beeline for 77-year-old Rita Marley, who is in poor health and uses a wheelchair, and gallantly kissed her hand just before the One Love film began.
Her daughter Stephanie, 49, said: “She (my mother) loves Harry and loves his spirit and his rebellion against the status quo.”
“She likes that he seems fearless and stands up for what he believes is right.”
The Sussexes were criticized for posing on the red carpet next to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who was accused of “ambushing” Prince William and his wife Kate during a state visit in 2022 when he told them his country was going away “avert” the British monarchy.
Prince Harry meets Rita Marley at the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love at the Carib 5 Theater on Tuesday in Kingston, Jamaica
Harry and Meghan at the One Love premiere in Kingston, Jamaica, with Marlene Malahoo Forte, Minister of Law and Constitution of Jamaica
Bob Marley and wife Rita Marley at The Daisy in Beverly Hills, California on July 26, 1978
The former British colony gained independence in 1962 but retained the king as head of state, something Mr Holness has promised to end by 2025.
Mrs Marley first met Harry during his visit to Jamaica for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and the pair remained in regular contact with the Duke, sending her “personal gifts”.
It is understood only a handful of senior Jamaican officials were aware of the trip, which was paid for by film studio Paramount Pictures.
The night before the premiere last Tuesday, sources on the island said the Sussexes spent the night at the five-star Half Moon resort in Montego Bay, where four-bedroom villas cost $4,300 a night.
The Mail was told that Harry and Meghan stayed in the upscale “Eclipse” area of the property, which has its own private beach, swimming cove and security, making it exclusive even within the opulent resort.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance at the world premiere of Bob Marley: One Love in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle made a surprise appearance at the world premiere of Bob Marley: One Love in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love at the Carib 5 Theater in Kingston, Jamaica
Previous guests have included the Kennedy family and royalty, including King Charles and the late Queen.
From there, the group moved to Kingston, where they enjoyed a private tour of the Bob Marley Museum during the day on Tuesday.
Bob Marley Group attorney Lecia-Gaye Taylor said the group spent an hour at the exhibit.
“It wasn't Harry's first time here and they definitely enjoyed it,” she said.
The tour was led by one of the museum's longest-serving guides, Ricky Chaplin, who plays a role in the film as Marley's spiritual guide Mortimer Planno.
After the premiere on Tuesday, Harry and Meghan joined 60 revelers for an “afterparty” at the five-star Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.
According to sources, the Sussexes were in “great spirits” and appeared relaxed as they enjoyed cocktails at the bar, which was closed to other guests.
The Sussexes flew nearly 2,500 miles from their home in Montecito to Montego Bay last Sunday aboard a private Gulfstream IV jet that the film company chartered last weekend.
Paramount CEO Brian Robbins and his fashion designer wife Tracy are friends of the couple and own a $17 million weekend home in Montecito, a stone's throw from the Sussexes' 16-bathroom mansion.
Mr. Robbins, a former child star, also owns a $25 million home in Beverly Hills and is considered one of the most powerful men in Hollywood.
A source said: “Brian bought his first home in Montecito from Ellen DeGeneres, who is close to Harry and Meghan.” Montecito is a small town and everyone knows everyone. Tracy is a doll, a wonderful woman who is down to earth despite her wealth and privilege. She's incredibly discreet.'
Ironically, Paramount owns the Comedy Central channel that aired the brutal South Park episode that mocked Harry and Meghan for their “global private tour.”
A clip has emerged showing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex taking their seats at the premiere of the biopic Bob Marley: One Love. The clip appears to show Harry, 39, looking slightly dejected as he makes his way to his seat and follows his wife
On Wednesday they flew from Paramount to California aboard a Bombardier BD-700 private jet.
The couple's “closeness” to Paramount boss Robbins and Harry's appearance last week at the Living Legends of Aviation Awards alongside Amazon boss Jeff Bezos have led to speculation that they may be looking for other outlets if their $100 deal with Netflix expires next year.
A source said: “It's no coincidence that Prince Harry has been dating two of Hollywood's biggest power brokers in the last two weeks.”
“Everyone knows the Netflix deal is coming to an end and Harry and Meghan have big bills to pay.”
“They knew this trip to Jamaica would be well-received by the young and diverse audience they wanted to reach.”
“I don’t think they give a damn what the British think.”
“This is all about building your brand.”
A senior Democratic Party source in the US said the optics of this week's visit would be good for Meghan, who is known to have political ambitions.
“It’s an election year and Meghan will be actively involved in the anti-Trump campaign.”
“This week made her look cool and relevant.”
The Sussexes have a warm bond with Jamaica, in stark contrast to the Prince and Princess of Wales, who were accused of looking “colonial” during their state visit in 2022 as they drove past locals in an open Land Rover and shook hands with well-wishers through a metal fence.
When asked why he decided to attend Tuesday's premiere, Harry replied: “I had to be here.”
Former Suits actress Meghan enjoyed her childhood holidays in Jamaica and married her first husband Trevor Engelson on the island in 2011.
Prince Harry and Bob Marley's son Ziggy Marley at the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love
Her estranged father Thomas told the MoS how he had proudly walked her down the aisle at the beach wedding but was later shocked when guests were given jute bags full of marijuana as party favors.
While this week's visit caused consternation in the United Kingdom and renewed calls for the Sussexes to be stripped of their royal titles, in Jamaica it served to focus attention on next year's referendum on a demand for reparations for Britain's involvement in slavery will be voted on trade.
A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Holness said: “Jamaica is in the midst of a constitutional reform process. “We will allow this to take its course.”
Dr. Rosalea Hamilton, an activist who organized protests during William and Kate's 2022 visit, said Harry and Meghan were a sideshow to the deeper issues.
She said: “To me, their presence and participation in this conversation distracts from the core issues we face, such as what exactly these reforms will look like. That's the focus.”
Olivia Grange, Jamaica's culture minister, said it spoke volumes about Harry and Meghan's love for the country that they traveled such a long way to attend the premiere of “One Love.”
Asked why they received a warmer welcome than William and Kate, Ms Grange said the answer was simple: “Jamaicans love them.”