A South African composer has said he does not recall a discussion with Meghan Markle about comparing her wedding to Nelson Mandela's prison release.
The Duchess of Sussex had recalled an interaction during a premiere of The Lion King in London back in 2019, saying one well-wisher told her that her marriage was celebrated as much as the freeing of Mandela.
In an interview with The Cut magazine, Meghan said a cast member pulled her aside, and told her, "I just need you to know: When you married into this family, we rejoiced in the streets the same we did when Mandela was freed from prison."
Grammy winner Lebohang Morake, who goes by the professional name is 'Lebo M', said he did indeed speak to Meghan and Harry during their 2019 visit - but spoke for "less than a minute" and claimed he did not recall discussing Mandela.
He told MailOnline : "Indeed I was at The Lion King 2019 premier and met the Royals. I cannot comment on the matter as it was three years ago and I don’t remember details of that conversation which was less than a minute, except the Royals were going to South Africa or Botswana.
"I’m the only South African directly associated with both The Lion King films and the Broadway productions."
When asked if Meghan's current issues discussed in her interview with The Cut resonated much with the South African people, Grammy award winner Mr Morake said he doubted whether they had much significance to the people of his country.
He added: "As a South African, I’m not sure if this is important to most of us facing serious domestic issues. I’d like to not be dragged into this issue from three years ago either way."
It comes after Nelson Mandela’s grandson also dismissed Meghan Markle’s claims that her wedding was celebrated like his grandfather’s liberation - saying marrying a prince did not "equate" to Mandela's work.
Zwelivelile ‘Mandla’ Mandela, a member of South Africa’s parliament, said he was “surprised” by her remarks: "Madiba's celebration was based on overcoming 350 years of colonialism with 60 years of a brutal apartheid regime in South Africa.
"So it cannot be equated to as the same.”
The African National Congress MP added: “We are still bearing scars of the past. But they were (Mr Mandela's celebrations) a product of the majority of our people being brought out onto the streets to exercise the right of voting for the first time.”
The revelations came in her latest bombshell interview where she spoke openly about the couple’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020 and said they were “happy” to leave the UK.
During the interview, Meghan said: "Harry said to me, ‘I lost my dad in this process.’ It doesn’t have to be the same for them as it was for me, but that’s his decision."
Prince Charles was reportedly hurt by the suggestions made in the recent interview about his closeness with Harry, with a source saying he would have been “saddened” if he lost his relationship with his son.
"The Prince of Wales loves both his sons," they said.
