It was a meeting of music royalty and actual royalty at London’s Leicester Square theatre on Sunday night as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle crossed paths with Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z at the European premiere of the Lion King.
But just as she did at Wimbledon last week, the Duchess of Sussex has sparked a storm of criticism from royal commentators for hugging superstar Beyoncé and being photographed together on the yellow carpet inside the theatre.
WATCH the moment Meghan Markle embraced Beyoncé at the Lion King premiere:
Arriving hand in hand, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex beamed broadly to the crowds gathered in Leicester Square, before heading inside for a chat with Jay-Z – real name Shawn Carter – and Beyoncé, who voices Nala in Disney’s new live-action remake of the 1994 original.
The royal couple embraced the Carters who congratulated them on the birth of their first child baby Archie Harrison after his arrival on May 6, with 37-year-old Beyoncé reportedly telling 37-year-old Meghan: “That baby is so beautiful.”
The new parents left their newly christened son at home at Frogmore Cottage to attend the star studded event, which marked the Duchess’ first premiere as a royal.
Beyoncé was also heard telling Meghan that she and Jay-Z “love you guys”, before Meghan inquired about the couple’s two-year-old twins Rumi and Sir.
“They are not here, they don’t come on every trip. We left them at home. They would have loved to have been here,” the I Was Here hitmaker replied.
After Buckingham Palace confirmed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would attend the glittering evening, royal expert Justin Sylvester warned Meghan could face backlash for her interactions with Beyoncé, particularly if she poses for a photo with the global icon.
Speaking to E! News, Mr Sylvester said: “I just think she’s doomed, like she’s damned if she does and she’s damned if she doesn’t.
“If she takes a photo with Beyoncé everyone’s going to say, she’s so Hollywood, this is not what royals do. If she doesn’t take the photo with Beyoncé, everyone is going to say she snubbed her, she’s too good for her.”
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