PRINCE Harry and wife Meghan sparked a new royal row as they hobnobbed with Jamaican politicians who are plotting to end the King’s rule there.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were accused of “very provocative behaviour” after posing for photos at a film premiere with those hoping to oust Charles as head of state.
The pair cosied up with Marlene Malahoo Forte, Jamaica’s minister for legal and constitutional affairs.
She has previously vowed that the “time is now” to “sever ties” with the British monarchy.
The Sussexes also had time for a picture with its prime minister Andrew Holness and his wife Juliet.
Two years ago, Mr Holness ambushed Prince William and wife Kate during their ill-fated Caribbean trip — telling them that the country was ready to “move on”.
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Jamaica’s parliament is set to debate a bill in April to become a republic and set up a referendum over removing the King as their head of state by 2025.
Harry and Meghan flew from their US base to the Caribbean isle for the premiere of new music biopic Bob Marley: One Love — but it was unclear who had invited them or paid for the jaunt.
Royal author Ingrid Seward said: “It is clumsy and very provocative behaviour.
“They don’t seem to care any more about what they say or do.
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“Meghan certainly doesn’t care and Harry doesn’t understand the implications of his actions.
“If Harry doesn’t want to be responsible for the princely status, he should renounce it.
“This plays very badly.
“It could be seen as Harry endorsing the move to remove the King.
“Harry really does just stumble from one PR blunder to another.”
And royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said: “Harry and Meghan posing with these people — bearing in mind what happened with William and Catherine and movements towards a republic — they know perfectly well what they are doing.
“It is an ambiguity of behaviour because they know Jamaica intends to become a republic but should not act as flag-wavers for it.
“This is a calculated photo opportunity.
“Their appearance there suddenly, especially at a time when the Royal Family is not at its strongest, can be construed in ways that might be helpful to the republican movement, and that is deplorable and calculated and one of the many reasons why they can’t be trusted.”
The row came as King Charles awaits an operation on an enlarged prostate and the Princess of Wales remains in hospital following major abdominal surgery.
Harry also appeared on the red carpet in Kingston with Ziggy Marley, the singer son of reggae superstar Bob.
It was his second glitzy event in a few days after he picked up a Legends of Aviation gong from actor John Travolta at a Hollywood gala.
Jamaica is one of 14 non-United Kingdom Commonwealth realms — including Canada, Australia and New Zealand — where King Charles is head of state.
There are no plans for Jamaica to leave the Commonwealth which is a voluntary association of 56 independent countries.
The Royal Household and UK government insist it is up to people living in realms to determine if they wish to leave.
The then-Prince Charles attended the transition to a republic in Barbados in 2021.
The Caribbean island nation ousted the monarchy without a referendum.
The late Queen axed Harry and Meghan from their Commonwealth roles following outspoken comments and their controversial Netflix series was slammed by historians for claiming the free association of nations was “Empire 2.0”.
The Sussexes waded into the debate just weeks after quitting Britain for the US, saying the Commonwealth must acknowledge its “uncomfortable” past and that “change is needed and it’s coming”.
They were speaking in a video chat to the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust in 2020 and hailed the global Black Lives Matter protests as a “moment of reckoning” for those said to have committed past abuses.
They also insisted the movement should continue for “as long as it takes”.
Several months later the Queen acted and removed the pair from their roles as an ambassador and president of the Commonwealth’s youth charity.
WITH CHARLES, WILLS AND KATE ALL OUT OF ACTION, THE ROYAL DUTIES MUST GO ON
SHELLO MY OLD FRIEND
A GRAND old tortoise aged 192 comes face to face yesterday with another Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince Edward, 59, was pictured with the elderly reptile, named Jonathan, on a trip to the South Atlantic island of Helena.
The tortoise was fed by Prince Philip in 1957, when he arrived with the Queen.
Edward’s grand- parents King George VI and the Queen Mother had met him ten years earlier.
On his four-day visit, Edward also walked the 699 steps of Jacob’s Ladder, overlooking Jamestown.
SOPHIE’S HEALTH ED VISIT
THE Duchess of Edinburgh took part in a menstrual health education workshop to break down the taboo.
Sophie, 59, patron of Wellbeing of Women, visited Harris Girls Academy in East Dulwich, South East London, to raise awareness of menstrual health issues.
She gave advice to the girls and listened to the challenges they have faced.
ANNE’S A ROYAL IN DEMAND
PRINCESS Anne often wins plaudits for being the hardest working royal but yesterday she was handing out the gongs.
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The Princess Royal, 73, carried out investitures at Windsor Castle and pinned a Knight Bachelor on director and producer Sir Stephen Frears, 82.
Earlier she visited Save the Children’s HQ in London as the charity’s president.