Music royalty collided with real royalty this weekend as Beyoncé and Jay-Z were finally introduced to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The four met at The Lion King premiere in London’s Leicester Square on Sunday, 14 July.
Unusually, Beyoncé and Jay-Z arrived on the red carpet after Harry and Meghan (traditionally the royals arrive last to any big event), but the group met inside the cinema – a moment that was recorded and shared on social media.
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The Duchess warmly hugged both stars, breaking royal protocol – normally members of the public aren’t permitted to touch members of the royal family. However, understandably, Meghan didn’t miss an opportunity to embrace Beyoncé.
MEGHAN AND BEYONCE MEETING pic.twitter.com/ytSxYHjYuB
— meredith (@meghvnmarkle) July 14, 2019
Beyoncé and Jay-Z have shown their appreciation for the Duchess of Sussex before at the Brit Awards in February 2019. The couple weren’t able to collect their award for Best International Group, so shared a video where they delivered a brief acceptance speech in front of a regal portrait of Meghan.
Although they didn’t mention the royal by name, at the end of the video, they turn around together to face the framed artwork, which shows Meghan in a crown, layered pearls, and a voluminous off-the-shoulder gown fit for royalty. The piece is by illustrator Tim O’Brien.
Well played @Beyonce & @S_C_ 😂
Watch The #BRITs 2019 live here: https://t.co/qj4KiENtGs pic.twitter.com/rGnmq0RUlr
— BRIT Awards (@BRITs) February 20, 2019
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Meghan was said to be pleased with the homage. Her make-up artist Daniel Martin claimed that when he texted her about the video, she replied with a simple big eye emoji.Beyoncé, who plays Nala in the live-action version of The Lion King, wore a beautiful yellow gown to the premiere, featuring a daring split that stopped at her waist. An asymmetric neckline gave way to a cut-out bodice.
The much-anticipated film features a star-studded cast including Donald Glover as Simba and Seth Rogen as Pumbaa. Chiwetel Ejiofor takes on Scar, while James Earl Jones assumes the voice of Mufasa as he did in the 1994 original.
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