Jamaican PM says he's been 'dragged into UK issues' by Harry and Meghan appearance

Jamaican PM says he's been 'dragged into UK issues' by Harry and Meghan appearance

WATCH: Harry and Meghan meet the Jamaican PM, Andrew Holness in Kingston

GB News
Hannah Ross

By Hannah Ross


Published: 01/02/2024

- 19:07

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled to Jamaica last month to attend a film premiere

The Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, has said that he has been "drawn into UK issues" after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Jamaica.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the Caribbean Island last month to attend the premier of Bob Marley: One Love in Kingston.


At the premiere, Harry and Meghan posed with the Jamaican Prime Minister, which caused a stir due to his anti-monarchy views.

Holness said he felt like he had been “drawn into some internal issues in the United Kingdom” after the couple’s visit to Jamaica.

Meghan, Harry and Andrew Holness

Jamaican PM said that he felt "drawn into UK issues" after Harry and Meghan's visit

Getty

Harry and Meghan’s visit to Kingston came as King Charles, was about to attend hospital for an enlarged prostate.

The Jamaican Prime Minister told a local newspaper, The Gleaner: “I was pleased, and I was also very happy to see royals coming to participate in this major event.

"Unsuspecting — little did I know — that I'd be drawn into some internal issues in the United Kingdom. But so it is, more publicity for Jamaica."

Andrew Holness also met Prince William and Kate Middleton on their visit to the Caribbean in 2022 to mark the late Queen’s platinum jubilee.

Meghan, Prince Harry, Andrew Holness, Juliet Holness and Olivia Grange

Harry and Meghan met the Jamaican PM and his wife at a premiere in Kingston

Getty

During Kate and William’s visit, Holness gave a public speech in front of the royals warning them that he wanted to end the British monarch’s role as head of state in Jamaica.

Royal author, Phil Dampier, talked to the Daily Mail about Harry and Meghan’s visit to Jamaica stating: “Under normal circumstances, there would be nothing wrong with them going to a film premiere.

"But at a time when his father is going under the knife and Jamaica is making noises about ditching the monarchy, this is rather insensitive."

In 2022, the PM said in a public speech with William and Kate: "Jamaica is, as you would see, a country that is very proud of our history and very proud of what we have achieved.

Meghan and Harry

Meghan and Harry sit at the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love in Kingston

Getty

Prince William and Kate Middleton

Prince William and Kate Middleton visited Jamaica in 2022

Getty

“We are moving on and we intend to attain in short order… our goals and fulfil our true ambitions as an independent, developed, prosperous country.”

At the premiere, Harry and Meghan shook hands with actors, posed for photos and met famous people like Ziggy Marley, the son of Bob and Rita Marley.

Kate and William’s visit to Jamaica in 2022 was less glitzy and more serious as they talked about subjects like slavery and were met by anti-monarchy protests.

During the trip, Prince William made a speech where he expressed “profound sorrow” for the “appalling atrocity of slavery,” in an address to Jamaica’s PM.

You may like