Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are both used to preferential royal treatment, having attended numerous royal engagements over the years. But since stepping down as working royals in 2020, a seating mix-up at a movie premiere prompted an awkward reaction from the Sussexes.
Furthermore, Prince Harry‘s “lack of experience” at Hollywood events made for a cringeworthy moment, according to a body language expert. In January 2024, the Sussexes were invited to a premiere screening of the ‘Bob Marley: One Love biopic’ at the Carib Theatre in Jamaica. The Sussexes attempted to walk forward to the front row for the screening, but it appears they could not conceal their surprise when asked to move a few rows back, leaving them seated in the third row.
Body language expert Judi James, believes Harry expressed signs of “discomfort”. She told the Daily Mail: “While [Meghan’s] smile suggests her expression of utter graciousness was unflinching, Harry clearly hangs back, performing several gestures of reluctance, discomfort and even indecision.”
She further noted at the event, the two pulled moves “A-list celebrity couples perform” outside of the cinema venue.
Ms James said: “Meghan seemed to treat this red carpet appearance as a full-blown Hollywood one. She looked regal and gracious in her elegant ballgown and pulled the kind of moves A-list celebrity couples perform, like the romantic gesture of ownership as she places a hand on Harry’s chest.
“Meghan was fully in charge of the steering on the night, gently nudging Harry around and at one point pulling his hand out of his trouser pocket so that she could hold hands with him to walk into the venue.”
The Royal Family, would be used to having preferential treatment, the expert explains. Judi further explained Harry’s discomfort at the event, as she said: “For Harry, public functions in the Royal Family have always meant top billing, the best seats in the house and preferential treatment.”
She added: “But here there is a more unilateral look, where they were expected to take their own seats and maybe even buy their own popcorn. Harry’s lack of experience in this kind of scenario seems to show through here.”
The biopic stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley, and Lashana Lynch as his wife, Rita. The film had a premiere in Jamaica ahead of the movie’s theatrical debut on February 14, 2024.
It was their second trip to Jamaica as a couple, they first traveled there in 2017 to attend Harry’s friend Tom Inskip’s wedding.