Antiguan Prime Minister invites Prince Harry to 'honeymoon' with Meghan Markle on the island
'I am told that there may be a princess and I just want to say that should you make the decision to honeymoon then...' PM tells Prince
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Your support makes all the difference.Prince Harry might have only confirmed he was dating Meghan Markle two weeks ago but the Prime Minister of Antigua had no qualms about inviting him to spend his “honeymoon” on the island’s white sand beaches.
The 32-year-old was left red-faced and appeared uncomfortable after Gaston Browne made the proposition to the Prince in front of hundreds of guests who were gathered at a reception held in his honour. He is said to have grimaced after the remarks and stared straight at his feet.
Not beating around the bush in a speech on Monday night, Mr Browne said: “I understand that there may be a new addition to the royal family very soon.”
“I am told that there may be a princess and I just want to say that should you make the decision to honeymoon - then Antigua and Barbuda want to welcome you.”
“We have been voted consistently as the best honeymoon destination in the Caribbean - and one of the best in the world - so there will be nowhere in the world as special to spend your honeymoon, when that day arrives.”
However, the Prime Minister did not stop there, as Prince Harry was lined up to meet six of the island’s beauty queens he drew for the old “whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” idiom.
“Whatever is done here, stays here. So do not worry,” Mr Browne reassured him.
Prince Harry confirmed he was in a relationship with Markle, who is best known for her role in Suits, via an extraordinary statement released by Kensington Palace at the beginning of November. The Palace rebuked the serious invasion of Markle’s privacy and attacked the “racial undertones” of media coverage of her.
The statement said the Prince rarely engaged in formal action over “fictional stories” but the past week had seen “a line crossed”.
Despite the fact that organisers of an Antiguan charity event he attended on Sunday had declared his romance with Markle was off limits for discussion, the Prime Minister appeared to have missed the memo. Organisers had taken care to tell young people not to bring up his girlfriend when he arrived at the residence of the Governor General - the Queen's representative in Antigua and Barbuda - for the Colours of Charity event.
However, this did not stop the PM continuing to dig a hole at the other event, again commenting on the marriage rumours. ”I believe Meghan is a very beautiful looking girl, they make a very good looking couple,” he said.
When probed about whether he approved of the Prince’s choice of marriage, he said: “Yes, I heard about her and I hear they are speculating that they will now get married. I hope that Harry and Meghan come here for some quiet time very soon.”
A representative for Prince Harry declined to comment to on the matter to The Independent.
Additional reporting from Press Association
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