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Who is Lisa Hanna? Former Miss World leaves royal fans RED-FACED after Kate Middleton 'snub'

Lisa Hanna, a former Miss World turned politician with the People's National Party, wants the country to 'become free from the monarchy'

Royal fans were left cringing over an "embarrasing" video that shows Kate Middleton being given the cold shoulder by a Jamaican politician on Tuesday, March 22. The Duchess of Cambridge appeared to be shunned by Lisa Hanna, a former Miss World turned politician, who wants the country to "become free from the monarchy" during a ceremonial welcome at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica.

Kate and Prince William's arrival in Jamaica triggered protests by around 350 anti-colonialism campaigners calling for an apology and reparations. The royal visits to Caribbean nations are seen as an effort to convince other former British colonies including Belize and The Bahamas to stay on as realms of the British monarchy amid a rising regional movement towards republicanism. Lisa is a member of People's National Party, which is in favor of removing the Queen as head of state and lobbying Britain for reparations.

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Although Kate, 40, and Lisa, 46, chatted happily for much of the ceremony, there was one moment in which the royal appeared to lean over to speak to the politician, only for her to turn away. A twitter user shared the clip with caption, "Move yu bloodclaat murdaaa". Commenting under the clip, royal followers said they felt embarrassed just from watching the viral clip. One user wrote, "This is embarrassing." A second wrote, "This is so awks." A third commented, "I know she was hurt." A fourth added, "That's so rude." A fifth said, "This is painful." 

Who is Lisa Hanna?

Beauty queen turned politician Lisa Hanna is a member of the opposition People's National Party, which is committed to removing the Queen as head of state and wants to lobby Britain for reparations. The 46-year-old was crowned Miss World in 1993, and was the third Jamaican to ever win the historic title. Lisa currently serves as Member of Parliament for Saint Ann South East.

Before entering politics, Lisa tried her hand at acting by starring in a 1998 Romantic comedy film titled, 'How Stella Got Her Groove Back'. Following this, Lisa hosted Jamaican talk show, 'Our Voices', before heading to the US to be a guest presenter on Xtra. After a year in America, the beauty queen returned to Jamaica and began working as a communications consultant in New Kingston. 

In 2007, Lisa won the seat for St. Ann South East, and alongside her duties as MP, she served as opposition spokesperson on Information, Youth and Culture up to December 2011. The politician has become a hugely influential figure in Jamaican politics, and boasts over 469,000 followers on Instagram where she regularly shares updates on her work, fitness regimes and personal accomplishments. 

Away from politics, Lisa is married to restaurateur Richard Lake, with the couple tying the knot back in December 2017. The pair run a manufacturing, commercial warehouse and shipping company in Jamaica, titled Lydford Logistics. Lisa was previously married to David Panton, with whom she welcomed a son, Alexander. The 46-year-old's ex-husband is a close friend of former US Senator Ted Cruz. Lisa and David married in 1999 and divorced in 2004. 

Soon after the clip went viral, Lisa took to Instagram to address her meeting with Kate, explaining they had a "pleasant" conversation but still intends to discuss other issues in "private". The 46-year-old wrote: "Today I welcomed Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate to Jamaica on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition in celebration of the Queen's platinum Jubilee. We had a very interactive and pleasant conversation throughout the proceedings as we talked about family, our cultures and our people."

"There's no doubt at this time that we all seek our true independence and want to develop systems and strategies where we become free from the monarchy. But until then, we will always remain a courteous and respectful country," she said. "I am a firm believer in reparations and as such when I was Minister of Youth and Culture, I led the reparations committee which made strides in developing submissions to Britain which examined the economic cost of slavery to our country." Lisa concluded the Insta post by writing, "I welcome them wholeheartedly with our warm hospitality, and look forward to us having productive discussions about our future."