Inside Meghan Markle and Beyoncé’s ‘Lion King’ Meeting
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walked the gold carpet tonight at The Lion King premiere, making a rare date night out for the couple who welcomed their first child Archie into the world just two months ago. The European premiere of the new Disney adaptation of the film in London ‘s Leicester Square Comes 25 years after the original Lion King’s 1994 debut.
It was a moment many had been waiting for when Queen Bey met Princess Meghan: Two of the world’s most admired and iconic women finally together; Meghan embracing both Beyoncé and Jay Z with a warn hug. While Meghan has walked many red carpets in her life, this was the first as a member of the Royal Family.
The discussion quickly turned to their children, Beyoncé telling the couple, “The baby is so beautiful. We love you guys,” before Harry asked about the Carters’ new twins who didn’t accompany them.
Jay Z offered the Royal couple a little parenting advice: “The best advice I can give you [is to] always find time for yourself.“
Meghan was understood to be “nervous” ahead of her appearance meeting Beyoncé at the premiere. Beyoncé later commented about the meeting with Harry and Meghan, “They are so sweet.”
But after Beyoncé and Jay Z’s tribute after winning a Brit Award, casting the Duchess of Sussex as the Mona Lisa in a Crown, Meghan surely should have been put at ease. Meghan was touched by the gesture. Her close friend Daniel Martin shared when he texted her rather than replying with a bee emoji in reference to the Queen’s beyhive instead she replied with the big eye emoji.
Beyoncé of course plays Nala in the adaptation of The Lion King. The Lion King has long been one of Harry’s favorite films, and Elton John even performed the film’s original signature song “Circle of Life” at the couple’s wedding reception at Windsor Castle.
Meghan looked stunning in a sheer black mesh and silk satin Jason Wu dress at the glittering, star-studded premiere and accessorized with a pair of Nikos Koulis earrings, and her trusty Aquazurra ‘Portrait of a Lady’ slingbacks.
The couple also warmly embraced Elton John and his husband David Furnish inside the theatre. Elton composed much of the music for the original Lion King and has been a close friend and mentor to Harry since Princess Diana’s death. The two have travelled the world together, campaigning for AIDS and HIV awareness with Harry carrying on his mother’s legacy.
The couple attended tonight’s premiere in support of Protect the Pride, a new global conservation campaign to raise awareness and support efforts to protect and recover the dwindling lion population across Africa. More than 50 percent of African lions have perished in the last 25 years due to poaching, destruction of environment, and other threats to the majestic animal.
The Duke of Sussex has been a longtime advocate of anti-poaching initiatives and front-line conservation projects in Africa. Prince Harry is President of African Parks and Patron of Rhino Conservation Botswana.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will undertake an official visit to South Africa this fall. The Duke of Sussex will make separate visits to Angola, Malawi, and undertake a working visit to Botswana.
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