Bob Marley fans Harry and Meghan attend the film's premiere

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have long been fans of Bob Marley's “music and message”, with the couple attending the Jamaican premiere of a film about the reggae singer, a source says.

Prince Harry and Meghan were pictured with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, at a screening of Bob Marley: One Love.

Mr. Holness has spoken of Jamaica's “transition” to becoming a republic.

Bob Marley ties were also among the guests at the event in Kingston.

The red carpet screening saw Prince Harry and Meghan join actors and musicians to watch the film, recalling the life of the Jamaican music star.

The couple's surprise presence at the premiere was as guests of the family of Brian Robbins, CEO of Paramount Pictures, with sources saying that Prince Harry and Meghan were “thrilled” to be there.

The film, due to be released in the UK next month, stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley, who died in 1981, and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita.

In a social media post, Mr Holness praised “the lasting impact of Bob Marley's work, recognizing the importance of his contribution to global conversations about peace, love and social change”.

Prince Harry visited Jamaica in 2012 on a successful royal trip, and was remembered for his hilarious encounters with Usain Bolt, with the Olympic athlete describing him as “amazing and very humble”.

During that visit more than a decade ago, Prince Harry was asked about the exodus of talent from Jamaica to the United States, and he told reporters: “It doesn’t matter what size you are, if you have talent, use it. No.” Don't flee to America if you have an obvious talent that your country needs.”

On a visit this week, Prince Harry was photographed with Mr Holness, who was seen as wanting to push for the country to become a republic, rather than the British monarch as head of state.

When Prince William and Catherine visited the country in 2022, on a controversial Caribbean tour, the question of becoming a republic was raised, along with questions about reparations or an apology for slavery.

Holness had said during that visit that Jamaica was “moving forward.”

“We intend to achieve our development goals in a short time and realize our true ambitions and destiny as an independent, advanced and prosperous country,” he said at the time.

During that visit, Prince William spoke of his “deep sadness” about slavery, saying it “forever stains our history.” Regarding Jamaica's constitutional future, he said that “is for the people to decide.”