Red Sea International Film Snubs Meghan from Gala over Saudi Prince Connection

The Red Sea International Film recently hosted its annual Women in Cinema gala, graced by the presence of A-list celebrities such as Michelle Williams, Sharon Stone, and Zoe Saldana.

The star-studded event, held on Friday, 1st December, saw the likes of Diane Kruger, Mai Win, Catherine Martin, Michelle Rodriguez, Naomi Campbell, Garrett Hedlund, and more in attendance.

The festival commenced with the world premiere of the Saudi fantasy romance film “H.W.J.N.”

directed by Yasser al-Yassiri at the opening night gala on Thursday, 30th November.

Notable personalities like Baz Luhrmann, Will Smith, Johnny Depp, and Ranveer Singh also made appearances throughout the festival.

Running from 30th November to 9th December, the Red Sea International Film Festival aims to cater to film enthusiasts, filmmakers, and industry professionals worldwide.

Despite speculation that Meghan might grace the event, it was revealed that negotiations between the festival organizers and WME CEO fell through, preventing her attendance.

Both Meghan and Ari Emanuel, the Endeavour CEO, share ties with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known for his connections in Saudi Arabia.

The festival predominantly attracts Hollywood guests, with a lineup of celebrities who seemingly have no interest in engaging with Meghan Markle, given her association with the Crown Prince.

Sources suggest that Meghan had expressed a desire to escape negative publicity surrounding her and Omid Scobie's book “Endgame” by attending the event in Saudi Arabia.

In a notable turn of events, Ari Emanuel returned a substantial investment from Saudi Arabia following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, indicating a shift in relations.

Back in 2018, Code Pink protesters targeted WME's Beverly Hills offices due to the pending deal between Endeavour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

Meghan's public appearances wearing earrings gifted by Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2018 sparked controversy, particularly in light of Jamal Khashoggi's tragic fate.

The Duchess was seen adorning the diamond earrings at a state dinner in Fiji and later at the Prince of Wales' birthday party, raising eyebrows among royal watchers.

The mysterious origins of the earrings, initially reported as borrowed, came to light as a wedding present from Prince Mohammed.

Rumors swirled about Meghan's alleged encounter with the Prince on a yacht, adding intrigue to the already controversial situation.

The timing of Meghan's use of the earrings coinciding with Khashoggi's murder further fueled speculation and scrutiny surrounding her connection to the Saudi Prince.