Nelson Mandela's grandson has slammed Meghan Markle for suggesting that her marriage to Prince Harry caused scenes of joy in South Africa.
It comes after the Duchess said an actor told her the scenes could be compared to the anti-Apartheid campaigner's release from jail after 27 years in 1990.
Zwelivelile 'Mandla' Mandela told MailOnline that the scenes from both events "cannot be equated to as the same" before admitting he was "surprised" by Meghan's statement.
Nelson Mandela's grandson has spoken of his surprise at Meghan Markle's comments.
Chris Ison
The Duchess of Sussex claimed in her interview with The Cut Magazine that three years ago a cast member of the Lion King had made the comparison between her royal wedding and Madiba's historic walk to freedom.
In the 6,409 article called 'Meghan of Montecito,' the Duchess recalled an encounter she had at a 2019 London premiere of a live-action version of the classic film.
She claims that an actor from South Africa pulled her to one side to tell 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."
Nelson Mandela's family are said to have been shocked at the story, with 'Mandla' Mandela, an MP and Chief of the late South African President's Mvezo tribe, speaking out on the statement.
The Sussexes have built a relationship with the Mandela family in recent years.
Caitlin Ochs
He told MailOnline: "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."
His grandfather served 27 years in prison before being released and going on to lead his country.
Zwelivelile said the jubilant scenes in South Africa upon the release of his grandfather from prison were far more important than those witnessed when she married a "white prince".
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."
Meghan and Harry have developed a relationship with the Mandela family in recent years, with Harry paying tribute to the former South African President during his speech on Nelson Mandela Day in New York City on July 18.
The Sussexes met Graca Machel, widow of Mandela, on the last day of their tour of Africa in 2019.
Harry had previously made acquaintance with Machel, during a meeting in 2015.