Harry and Meghan pose with Jamaica Prime Minister who told William and Kate he wants to break away from monarchy

24 January 2024, 11:30 | Updated: 24 January 2024, 11:52

Harry and Meghan have visited Jamaica nearly two years after William and Kate
Harry and Meghan have visited Jamaica nearly two years after William and Kate. Picture: Twitter/Alamy

By Kit Heren

Harry and Meghan have been photographed posing with Andrew Holness, the Jamaican Prime Minister who told William and Kate that his country wants to become a republic.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Sussexes visited the Caribbean island for the premiere of a film about reggae star Bob Marley, who was from the capital, Kingston.

Mr Holness hit the headlines in the UK two years ago when he told William and Kate that Jamaica was "moving on" from the monarchy.

He also said Jamaica intended to "fulfil our true ambitions and destiny as an independent, developed, prosperous country".

At the Kingston premiere of Bob Marley: One Love Movie on Tuesday evening, Harry and Meghan posed for pictures with Paramount Pictures chief executive Brian Robbins, as well as Mr Holness. Marley's son Ziggy was also at the event.

Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan 'send get well messages' to King Charles and Kate amid double health scare

Read more: Monarchy will 'support' any decisions by Caribbean nations to become republics

Omid Scobie, a supporter of the couple, said it was "a very different vibe to the last time we saw PM Andrew Holness with members of the Royal Family."

Mr Holness posted on X which is formerly Twitter: "The premiere of the Bob Marley: One Love Movie in Jamaica signifies a momentous occasion for our nation and the global community.

"Bob Marley's ability to connect people through his music, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries, has made him a symbol of unity and resilience.

"As we celebrate the premiere of this film, let us reflect on the enduring impact of Bob Marley's work, recognizing the importance of his contribution to global conversations on peace, love, and social change."

Harry and Meghan at the premiere
Harry and Meghan at the premiere. Picture: Getty

The film will be released in February and stars British actors Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita.

William and Kate said after Mr Holness' comments in 2022 that they "supported with "pride and respect" Jamaica's decisions about the future.

"Relationships evolve. Friendship endures," they added.

The Jamaican government said it plans for the country to become a republic by the time of the next general election in 2025.

Popular support for breaking away from the monarchy has hovered at 50% or just below in polls held in recent years.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (centre) talk with Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) in March 2022
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (centre) talk with Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) in March 2022. Picture: Alamy

A Jamaican minister said the Queen's death and the coronation of King Charles had accelerated the timeline for becoming a republic, and a referendum could take place as soon as 2024.

Fellow Caribbean countries Belize, the Bahamas, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis have all also said they wanted to get rid of the monarchy.

It comes amid news that royals have suffered several health blows this year, with Charles and Kate hospitalised for operations, and the Duchess of York revealing a skin cancer diagnosis.

Harry and Meghan are said to have sent get well messages to Charles and Kate.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Zhenhao Zou is accused of raping three women in London and 7 in China, whilst they were unconscious

PhD student 'discussed rape role-play' with alleged victim, trial hears

Exclusive
Senior Tories including Suella Braverman and Michael Gove have criticised the judge's comments

Senior Tories blast 'out of touch' judge for 'ludicrous attack' on Starmer’s migrant remarks

Breaking
Yarden Bibas was released by Hamas earlier this month

Hamas to return bodies of Bibas family with six more Israelis to walk free

Lisa Smith, 43, was with a female friend when she was killed outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent

Man suspected of fatally shooting wife outside pub on Valentine's Day rang friend and said 'she's dead'

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80 after 'brief illness' as tributes pour in

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned 'any appearance by armed forces under some other flag' in Ukraine would be 'completely unacceptable', in a dig at a peace plan floated by Keir Starmer.

Keir Starmer’s Ukraine peacekeeping plan ‘completely unacceptable’, Russia tells US in Saudi Arabia talks

Rita Lambourne, 58, was “fatally wounded” at her home in Bayencourt South, Bexhill

Man charged with axe murder of woman in own home

Lydia Mugambe is accused of taking 'advantage of her status'

UN judge ‘trafficked woman to UK to be her slave'

Anonymous posters have appeared in Hampstead Heath, a park in north London, calling for gay men to stop using the park for sex.

'Take back Hampstead Heath', dog walkers urged as posters appear calling for men to stop using park for sex

Gavin Nicholls was tackled to the ground by a plain-clothed officer outside the Co-op in Barnet

Moment serial shoplifter is tackled off e-scooter by police as he flees store in north London

The plane, which was carrying 80 people, slid down onto the icy runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport before bursting into flames

Horrifying video shows moment Delta plane crashes on tarmac and bursts into flames at Toronto airport

Healey's comments came following Russia-US Peake talks in Saudi Arabia.

UK facing 'new era of threat' from Russia, Defence Secretary says as he unveils ‘biggest military shake up in 50 years’

Passengers escape Flipped over Delta plane after it crashed while landing in Toronto

'We were hanging upside down like bats': Survivors reveal fear and chaos inside flipped over Delta plane

England's top judge slams Starmer and Badenoch over Gaza family immigration comments

'Judges aren't free from criticism': Backlash after England's top judge attacks Starmer's migrant remarks

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

British couple on round-the-world motorbike adventure charged with espionage by Iranian authorities

An assistant referee has been charged with child sexual offences.

Assistant referee for FA Cup and football league games charged with child sexual offence