Here's why Beyoncé and Jay-Z's Brit Awards speech featured a portrait of Meghan Markle
21 February 2019, 12:38
Erm, what is going on here?
The Brit Awards 2019 kicked off last night (Feb. 20) and to say it was eventful would be understatement. From performances by Little Mix and Jorja Smith, to some extremely awkward "comedy" from Jack Whitehall, us Brits proved we really know how to put on a show.
But, of course, it's not all about us. There were some international winners too. Drake scooped International Male Solo Artist, Ariana Grande bagged International Female Solo Artist and The Carters (aka Beyoncé and Jay-Z) won International Group – and their acceptance speech was truly wild.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z couldn't attend the ceremony in London, so they did a video message acceptance speech instead.
In it, they recreated their "Apeshit" music video, which was filmed in Louvre, Paris, right in front of the famous Mona Lisa. But instead of Leonardo da Vinci's painting, they were standing in front of a portrait by illustrator Tim O'Brien of Meghan Markle – iconiqué.
"Thank you so much to the Brit Awards for this incredible honour," Beyoncé began. "You guys have always been so supportive. Everything is love. Thank you."
"You're Welcome," Jay-Z added, before slowly turning to face the painting.
So… no explanation? Okay. Cool. Whatever the reason for Meghan Markle's cameo, people were living for it.
Look at Beyoncé outdoing herself again!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾 Black girl magic. Black history month. Black excellence. Nod to Meghan Markle from the Queen herself 🥴🤷🏾♀️🤩👸🏿🙌🏾😭👸🏿👸🏿 #BritAwards #EverythingIsLove #BRITS2019 pic.twitter.com/cUmaIq8jSy
— Art Becomes You (@artbecomesyou) February 20, 2019
#BlackHistoryMonth 2019 has been thee worst! Virginia, Liam Neeson, Prada, Gucci, & Burberry using racist imagery to create buzz. Jussie Smollett setting up a hate crime. Chris Hemsworth playing Hulk Hogan..
— KevinNoel (@KevinNoel) February 20, 2019
Is there no salvation?
Enter Beyoncé and Jay Z stage left #BRITAwards pic.twitter.com/65En7rH39o
THE CARTERS STANDING IN FRONT OF THIS ICONIC PAINTING OF QUEEN MEGHAN MARKLE WE- #BRITs pic.twitter.com/CXOcWsf3vy
— beth (@troianlawrence) February 20, 2019
I’m not even a Beyonce fan but she’s not here for ANY BS👏👏👏 calling her army to defend #meghanmarkle #duchessofsussex #BritAwards #brits pic.twitter.com/hSYjREQrO2
— Let’s Fangirl (@letsfangirlbout) February 20, 2019
APESHIT VS BRITS
— BEYONCÉ HUB (@theyoncehub) February 20, 2019
MONA LISA VS MEGHAN MARKLE pic.twitter.com/iHhcEmaYg7
Meghan Markle + Beyonce + Jay Z = #britawards acceptance speech. I hope this portrait really hangs on the wall at The Carter’s home. #meghanmarkle #beyonce #jayz pic.twitter.com/cPGTk3sUmL
— Melanie Bromley (@melaniebromley) February 20, 2019
the HIGHLIGHT of the brits is The Carters paying homage to Megan Markle 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— lil’ bby (@simonejaay) February 20, 2019
#BRITS2019 International awards to:
— Sasha Lewis (@therealsasha) February 20, 2019
The Carter's win! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I almost spat out my food with the picture of Megan Markle in the photo frame, oh and we hear you blu 🤣🤣🤣 why???
Well done @Drake
Well done @ArianaGrande
Later, Beyoncé explained why the Duchess of Sussex was just casually chilling on the wall in the background on Instagram, writing: "Thank you to the Brits for the award for Best International Group. I won this award back in 2002 with my besties, Kelly and Michelle. How lucky am I to have been in a group with my other best friend, the GOAT Hova.
"In honor of Black History Month, we bow down to one of our Melanated Monas. Congrats on your pregnancy! We wish you so much joy."
