February 21, 2019

Beyonce, Jay-Z pay surprise tribute to Meghan Markle at Brit Awards

WATCH: Meghan Markle celebrates a star-studded baby shower in New York City

After Beyoncé and Jay-Z won the award for Best International Group at the 2019 Brit Awards, the power couple paid a surprise tribute to another international celebrity -- Meghan Markle.

In a video released by the awards Wednesday night, the duo honored the Duchess of Sussex by recreating a music video, but placing a portrait of Markle in the background, where the famed Mona Lisa would usually be.

(MORE: George Clooney slams 'frustrating' coverage of Meghan Markle, compares it to treatment of Princess Diana)

It's a short video, but opens up on Markle's face, the Duchess looking glam, wearing jewels and a crown.

Beyonce thanks the Brit Awards and says, "Everything is love, thank you," while Jay jokes and says to his wife, "You're welcome."

The duo then turns and faces the portrait of Markle, once again paying homage to her.

(MORE: Beyoncé & JAY-Z offering free 'On The Run II' tickets for acts of kindness)

Beyonce added some details about the tribute on Instagram, writing, "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."

Beyonce and Jay-Z aren't the only celebs honoring Markle. George Clooney spoke out a few days ago about what he described as negative tabloid treatment of the Duchess.

When asked about him being godfather to her upcoming child, Clooney denied the report earlier this month, but added, "She's a woman who is seven months pregnant and she is being pursued and vilified and chased in the same way that [Princess] Diana was, and it's history repeating itself," according to the Associated Press.

Clooney, who attended Markel's wedding to Prince Harry last year with his wife Amal, was referring to Diana's death in 1997 after she was being pursued by paparazzi and her car was trying to evade them.

Gotham/GC Images via Getty Images
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex is seen, Feb. 20, 2019, in N.Y.

"I can't tell you how frustrating it is to see that," he added, according to E! News and other outlets at the panel. "She's getting a raw deal there. It's irresponsible."

Clooney's comments come after British tabloids have labeled Markle "Duchess Difficult" and reported on a private letter she wrote to her estranged father.