Daily Times

Beyoncé and Jay-Z have paid tribute to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, by swapping her with one of art history’s most recognizable figures — the Mona Lisa.

While the Carters were not in attendance at Wednesday’s Brit Awards, the UK’s equivalent of the Grammys, they accepted the award for best international group via video message. In a scene reminiscent of their ‘Apes**t’ music video, in which they famously pose in front of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre, the pair are seen standing either side of a portrait.

But the famous painting has been replaced with an image of Meghan styled as Queen Victoria, or as Beyoncé later put it: a “Melanated Mona.”

“Thank you so much to the Brit Awards for this incredible honor,” Beyoncé says in the video. “You guys have always been so supportive. Everything is love. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Jay-Z jokingly replies, before the pair turn to admire the image of the Duchess, in which she’s depicted sporting a sparkling crown and dripping in pearls and jewels.

The tribute comes as the Duchess faces growing scrutiny from some parts of the UK’s press and public. In recent months, she has been subjected to racist commentary and widespread tabloid speculation surrounding her relationship with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. The British royal family have since asked social media firms to help combat online abuse directed toward the two duchesses.

Published in Daily Times, February 23^rd 2019.