Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s failure to mention the health concerns of their relatives has had them accused of “exploiting” their chances to be in the spotlight while dodging the topic.
Princess Kate and King Charles have both publicly announced their health battles, with the Princess in hospital recovering from abdominal surgery. The King is due to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate on an unspecified day this week.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly sent “get well messages” to King Charles and the Princess of Wales but have not addressed the topic publicly.
They have, however, made a recent unexpected trip to Jamaica to attend a film premiere which honoured Bob Marley, while Harry delivered a four-minute speech at an aviation award ceremony in which he did not mention the health of his father or sister-in-law.
Harry and Meghan were photographed with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the screening of Bob Marley: One Love, which celebrates the late reggae singer’s life, in Kingston.
Commentator Lady Colin Campbell claims the pair’s move “stinks to high heaven” of trying to “exploit every situation.”
She told GB News: “All they needed to do was make some public declaration. But they are not going to, they can exploit every situation as long as they don’t make a public declaration. The whole thing stinks to high heaven.”
Another commentator Phil Dampier added that the Sussexes are likely “concerned”, but they are still “swanning about enjoying themselves.”
He said: “There might have been private contact. I’m sure they are worried.
“They haven’t made anything public and I think that is the contrast, they are enjoying themselves and probably went to the premiere via private jet.
“It does look like they are swanning about and enjoying themselves when there is real concern for many members of the Royal Family.”
Their stay in Jamaica comes as Mr Holness aims to push ahead with making the Caribbean country a republic. They were also seen in the company Marlene Malahoo Forte.
Ahead of the King’s coronation last year, Ms Malahoo Forte told Sky News an urgent” referendum could be held as early as 2024 to “sever ties” – which would include removing Charles as Jamaica’s monarch.
Prince Harry previously headed to Jamaica in 2012 to represent the late Queen in a celebratory Diamond Jubilee tour – a trip which was regarded as a success.
Meghan also has a connection to the country, having married her first husband, film producer Trevor Engelson, on a beach there in 2011. The couple divorced less than two years later.
She also wrote on her former lifestyle blog, The Tig, that her mother took her to visit the slums of Jamaica when she was 10 to teach her about the “harsh realities” of life.
