Inside Harry and Meghan’s trip to Jamaica: As Sussexes court Hollywood power brokers, how they flew in on Paramount jet and stayed at luxury resort that costs up to $4,300 near Studio CEO’s home

The widow of reggae legend Bob Marley has praised Prince Harry’s rebellious spirit, describing him as ‘fearless’ after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex caught up in a political storm by cozying up to Jamaica’s anti-royalist prime minister at the premiere of a new biopic about her husband.

MailOnline can reveal the Duke made his way to Rita Marley, 77, who is in ill health and confined to a wheelchair, and bravely kissed her hand shortly before the ‘One Love’ film began.

Her daughter Stephanie, 49, said: ‘She (my mother) adores 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 2022 state visit when he told them his country would “finish steps’ of the British monarchy.

Harry and Meghan at the premiere of One Love in Kingston, Jamaica with Marlene Malahoo Forte, Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs 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 pledged to end by 2025.

Mrs Marley first met Harry during his visit to Jamaica for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and the couple have kept in regular contact, with the Duke sending her ‘personal gifts’.

It is believed that only a handful of high-ranking Jamaican officials were aware of the trip, which was paid for by film studio Paramount Pictures.

The night before last Tuesday’s premiere, island sources 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 has been told that Harry and Meghan stayed in the luxurious ‘Eclipse’ part of the property, which has its own private beach, swimming bay and security, making it exclusive even within the lavish 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 members of the royal family, 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 on Tuesday afternoon.

Lawyer Lecia-Gaye Taylor of the Bob Marley Group said the group spent an hour in the exhibition.

“It wasn’t Harry’s first time here and they certainly enjoyed it,” she said.

The tour was led by one of the museum’s longest-serving guides, Ricky Chaplin, who appears in the film playing Marley’s spirit guide, Mortimer Planno.

After Tuesday’s premiere, Harry and Meghan joined 60 revelers at an “after party” at the five-star Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.

Sources say the Sussexes were ‘excited’ and appeared relaxed as they enjoyed cocktails at the bar, which was closed to other guests.

The Sussexes had flown nearly 2,500 miles from their home in Montecito to Montego Bay last Sunday aboard a private Gulfstream IV jet chartered by the film company 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, just steps 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 Hollywood’s most powerful men.

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 each other. Tracy is a doll, an amazing woman who is down to earth despite so much wealth and privilege. She’s incredibly discreet.’

Ironically, Paramount owns the Comedy Central channel that aired the cheeky South Park episode that mocked Harry and Meghan for their “global privacy tour.”

A clip 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 39-year-old Harry looking somewhat dejected as he walks to his seat and follows his wife

On Wednesday, they flew to California aboard a Bombardier BD-700 private jet from Paramount.

The couple’s ‘closeness’ to Paramount head Mr Robbins, combined with Harry’s appearance at last week’s ‘Living Legends of Aviation’ awards alongside Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, has sparked speculation that they may be looking are heading to other outlets when their $100 deal with Netflix expires next year.

A source said: ‘It’s no coincidence that Prince Harry has been in contact with two of Hollywood’s biggest power brokers in the past two weeks.

‘Everyone knows the Netflix deal is coming to an end and Harry and Meghan have big bills to pay.

‘They knew that this trip to Jamaica would resonate well with the audience they were trying to appeal to: young and diverse.

‘I don’t think they care what the British think.

“This is all about building their brand.”

A senior source in the US Democratic Party said the prospects 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 warm ties with Jamaica, in stark contrast to the Prince and Princess of Wales, who were accused of appearing “colonial” during their 2022 state visit when they drove past locals in an open-top Land Rover and well-wishers shake hands through a metal gate.

When asked why he chose to attend Tuesday’s premiere, Harry replied: “I had to be here.”

Ex-Suits actress Meghan enjoyed a childhood holiday 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 proudly walked her down the aisle at the beach wedding, but was later shocked when guests were given gunny bags filled with marijuana as party favors.

While this week’s visit caused an uproar in Britain – with renewed calls for the Sussexes to be stripped of their royal titles – in Jamaica it drew attention to next year’s referendum, which will include a vote on a demand for reparations for British involvement in the slave trade. trade.

A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Holness said: “Jamaica is in the midst of a constitutional reform process. We will let that take its course.”

Dr. Rosalea Hamilton, an activist who organized protests during William and Kate’s 2022 visit, said Harry and Meghan were a side issue to the deeper issues.

She said: “To me, their presence and participation in this conversation is a distraction 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” of Harry and Meghan’s love for the country that they came so far to attend the premiere of “One Love.”

When asked why they received a warmer reception than William and Kate, Ms Grange said the answer was simple: “Jamaicans love them.”