Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to visit Colombia later this year, marking their second foreign tour in 2024.
The couple has reportedly accepted an invitation to visit the South American country despite recent security warnings about the region’s instability from both the UK and US governments.
Earlier in the year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Nigeria, a move that reportedly angered senior royals.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Are Set To Engage With ‘Leaders, Youth And Women’ Of Colombia
Harry and Meghan will embark on another foreign tour later this year, this time to Colombia, nearly 4,000 miles away from their current home in California, U.S.
The Sussexes’ planned visit was confirmed by the Vice President of the South American country, Francia Marquez, in a statement via her office. During the trip, they will visit the capital city of Bogota and also make stops at the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Cartagena and Cali.
“In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress,” read the statement from Ms Márquez’s office, per the Daily Mail.
The statement added, “In addition to these meaningful interactions, the Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.”
Part of the activities the couple will also engage in are related to “cyberbullying, online exploitation and the mental health impacts of these threats,” which their foundation, The Archewell Foundation, is committed to.
The Couple’s Impending Visit Has Raised Eyebrows Due To Security Concerns
Although the Sussexes’ exact arrival date in Colombia is unclear, their visit will occur before the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in November.
While they are expected to receive full security during their stay, their decision to visit the country has raised eyebrows due to travel advisories from both the US and UK governments.
The US, where the couple currently resides, has placed Colombia at a Level 3 security risk, warning that “terrorist groups and criminal organizations continue operating and carrying out attacks” in the country.
They also noted that demonstrations “can occur regularly” and “can become violent, resulting in fatalities and injuries.”
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan’s impending visit was also slammed by critics who are surprised that “they have chosen to visit one, if not the most, dangerous countries in the world.”
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Visited Nigeria Earlier In The Year
Earlier in the year, the couple visited Nigeria in West Africa for three days after an invitation by the country’s Chief of Defence Staff.
During the tour, the couple raised awareness about Harry’s Invictus Games, a competitive sporting tournament that caters to wounded, sick, or injured veterans and serving military personnel.
To this end, Harry visited six wards at the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, where he met young soldiers recovering from horrific injuries. Many had been victims of Boko Haram ambushes, sustaining gunshot wounds and limb loss from explosions.
The couple also got involved in other activities, including mental health awareness and women’s empowerment, and enjoyed several cultural experiences.
At the time, the visit drew mixed reactions from social media users, with some criticizing the couple while others praised them for honoring the invitation.
Senior Royals Were Enraged About The Sussexes’ Visit To Nigeria
How the Palace would react to Harry and Meghan’s visit to Colombia remains to be seen. However, if past precedents are to be followed, it most likely won’t be pleasant.
A royal expert, Tom Quinn, previously told The Mirror that the couple’s visit to Nigeria deeply angered senior royals. According to the Mirror, King Charles was said to be “angrier than anyone has ever seen him.”
According to Quinn, the senior royal was angry because the couple approached their “private visit” to the country in a manner resembling an “official royal visit.”
The Palace also didn’t like that “Meghan and Harry’s speeches and their whole attitude” gave “the impression that they are still fully paid-up royals.”
Quinn continued, “For Charles and William, it’s as if Meghan and Harry are saying, ‘We don’t need your permission to be working royals — we will do it on our own terms whenever and wherever we like.”
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Were Not Invited To Balmoral Castle For Royal Retreat
The Sussexes were snubbed again by the royal family as they did not receive an invite to Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
A source made the revelation to People magazine, noting that Charles will follow in his mother, Queen Elizabeth’s tradition of going there every summer but that Harry and Meghan have been excluded from his guest list.
The pair were invited by Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, shortly before she died, but declined. Harry is quite familiar with the tradition as he grew up going there but it’s believed that Meghan has never experienced what the holidays looked like.
The Scottish Castle hosts the royal family every year when they recline from the public eye to spend time together, with outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, and horseback riding, which are said to be some activities they indulge in.
Source Agencies
