Sussex “cheerleader” Omid Scobie appeared to make a pointed remark about the royal family after Harry and Meghan posed for photos with Jamaica's staunchly anti-royal prime minister.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a glittering premiere of the new Bob Marley film One Love in Jamaica last night, where they were greeted by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
The couple were branded “insensitive” for posing with the ruler, who has vowed to turn Jamaica into a republic, while Harry's father, King Charles, prepares for prostate treatment.
Two years earlier, Holness had warned Prince William and Kate that Jamaica was “turning away” from Britain and intended to cut ties with the country during the Waleses' visit to the Caribbean island.
In an apparent swipe on Twitter/X, Scobie – who reignited a royal race row with his new book Endgame – said: “A different mood to the last time we saw Prime Minister Andrew Holness with members of the royal family…”
Sussex cheerleader Omid Scobie pointed out that Harry and Meghan's smile with the Jamaican prime minister was “a different vibe to the last time we saw Prime Minister Andrew Holness with members of the royal family” – referring to his conversation with Prince William and Kate in March 2022
Prince Harry and Meghan with Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his wife Juliet
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met Prime Minister Andrew Holness at his office in Kingston, Jamaica, on the fifth day of their Caribbean tour on behalf of the Queen in 2022
The surprise appearance at the showbiz party caused a stir following the double royal health scandal in Britain, with Harry's sister-in-law Kate Middleton recovering in hospital after abdominal surgery in London nearly 5,000 miles away while his father, the king, prepared for surgery Prostate procedure.
The couple were photographed mingling with celebrity guests, enjoying a moment of PDA in front of others and also making friends with Legal and Constitutional Affairs Minister Marlene Malahoo Forte, who said last year that Jamaica would soon “sever ties with the monarchy “can cancel” and the future of the nation should be “in Jamaican hands”.
Ms Forte later tweeted a photo of them, prompting one do.” Ms. Forte responded by saying, “That’s #OneLove!”
While other observers are still waiting for a statement from the Sussexes about Charles and Kate's hospitalization, royal commentator Phil Dampier told Web: “It looks like Harry and Meghan are popping up opening an envelope these days.”
“Under normal circumstances there would be nothing wrong with going to a film premiere.” But at a time when his father is going under the knife and Jamaica is making noise about abandoning the monarchy, it's pretty insensitive.
“The Royals have of course always said that it is up to individual countries to decide whether they become republics.” But I always found it very sad that Barbados got rid of the Queen towards the end of her life without a referendum.
“There will be a referendum in Jamaica, but it is almost certain that at some point they will go their own way.”
During William and Kate's visit to Jamaica, footage showed Mr Holness telling the royal couple that while Jamaicans were “very, very happy” to welcome them, there are “issues here that, as you know, are unresolved.”
He added that his country is “moving on” and has “real ambitions” to become an “independent, developed, prosperous country.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the red carpet at the premiere of the Bob Marley film last night
The Duke and Duchess with Paramount President Brian Robbins and his wife Tracy James
The Sussexes pose at the event last night with Marlene Malahoo Forte, Jamaica's Minister for Legal and Constitutional Affairs, who said last year that Jamaica could soon “sever ties” with the monarchy because it was time for the nation's future “in Jamaican” is hands'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the red carpet at the premiere of the Bob Marley film last night
Prince Harry and Meghan with Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his wife Juliet
Prince William and Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness are pictured during a meeting at the Prime Minister's Residence in Jamaica, Kingston, in 2022
Kate wore a £1,945 Alexander McQueen trouser suit as she and her husband Prince William posed with Andrew Holness and his wife Juliet at Vale Royal, their official residence in Kingston, Jamaica's capital in 2022
Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness presents the Duke of Cambridge with a bottle of Appleton Estate Ruby during a meeting at his office in Kingston, Jamaica
Speaking at the Sussexes' red carpet appearance last night, Mr Dampier added that Harry had “fond memories” of Jamaica, including the famous run against Usain Bolt during a visit in 2012.
However, he continued: “The couple obviously felt at home.” But it sends the message that they support this country, even though they haven't found time to publicly show their support for the King and Princess of Wales.
“They may have done so privately, but they certainly don't go out of their way to say they want a reconciliation, and this appearance further highlights the different world they now live in.”
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams added: “Harry and Meghan's appearance in Kingston at the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love was a surprise.”
“You are aware that the Caribbean trip that William and Catherine undertook in March 2022, which included Jamaica, was viewed as extremely problematic.”
Harry had traveled to Jamaica in 2012 during his Diamond Jubilee tour of the Caribbean and was seen dancing with a large crowd to Marley's hit One Love. He also met the late musician's widow, Rita Marley.
In 2017, before their engagement in November, Harry and Meghan attended the wedding of the Duke's friend Tom “Skippy” Inskip to Lara Hughes-Young.
Meghan married her first husband Trevor Engelson on a private beach in Jamaica in 2011.
Bob Marley died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36.