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The nation of Malawi has expressed itself — and it isn’t too happy with Madonna, who recently capped a weeklong visit to the country where her children David and Mercy (both 8 years old) were born.
When Madge, her four kids, and her entourage first arrived in the African nation on Monday, they were treated as VIPs — given heavy security, the right to breeze past checkpoints, and, presumably, a wide berth from any and all hydrangeas.
By the time they returned to Malawi’s Kamuzu International Airport on Saturday, things had changed. The Telegraph writes that the music icon and her crew saw their VIP status revoked. (According to Global Philanthropy Group president Trevor Neilson, the story is “a complete fabrication.” He told EW via e-mail, “Madonna hasn’t been stripped of any status.”)
“There was a directive that Miss Louise Ciccone… and her children should use the ordinary passenger terminal on their way to their jet,” an airport source told the paper. “Each and every person on her entourage went through the normal security checkpoints…. All their luggage went through security screening which never happened before.” Adding insult to injury, “We told them we can’t open the VIP lounge without authorization.”
According to Malawi’s chief immigration officer, visitors can be afforded VIP treatment only if authorities are notified of their visit in advance; Her Madgesty apparently neglected to follow this protocol. READ FULL STORY »
