Unofficial Royal Tour to Colombia Sparks Concerns Among Senior Royals
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have announced plans for an unofficial royal tour to Colombia, following an invitation from Colombia’s Vice President, Francia Márquez. This development has raised concerns about further straining relations with King Charles.
Vice President Márquez extended a personal invitation to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, expressing her enthusiasm in a recent statement: “As the Vice President of Colombia and Minister of Equality and Equity, I am pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country.
“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. In addition to these meaningful interactions, The Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.”
The visit is timed to precede the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, scheduled for November in Colombia. The Archewell Foundation, founded by the Duke and Duchess, is noted for its leadership in promoting safer online environments. Márquez highlighted that the upcoming conference will present a comprehensive framework to address issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and their mental health impacts.
“During their visit, The Duke and Duchess, as well as The Archewell Foundation, will engage in several activities related to this important topic. We are confident that their visit will further illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation,” Márquez added.
The exact date for the Sussexes' trip to Colombia has not been announced, but their unofficial tours have been a source of tension with King Charles. Their recent visit to Nigeria in May drew criticism for resembling an official royal tour, despite lacking formal recognition.
The invitation to Nigeria was extended by Christopher Musa, Nigeria's chief of defence staff, and was seen as an unofficial royal tour. Royal expert Tom Quinn commented that Prince William is “absolutely furious” and that King Charles “is said to be angrier than anyone has ever seen him” over the unofficial nature of their engagements.
Quinn told The Mirror, “William and Charles are scratching their heads and thinking, ‘How are we going to control this nightmare situation?’” He noted that the Nigeria trip confirmed the Royal Family’s fears that Meghan and Harry would continue to act in a royal capacity.
Reflecting on the Nigeria tour, Quinn explained, “Everything you might expect from an official royal visit was there – the receptions, the visits to schools and charities, to wounded soldiers and the disabled. Meghan and Harry's speeches and their whole attitude have been designed to give the impression that they are still fully paid-up royals, and William and his father, King Charles, don’t like it one bit.”
During their Nigeria visit, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received over 20 gifts, now unrestricted by royal protocol, according to GB News. After their return to the United States, the couple took an 18-hour flight to Los Angeles, continuing to draw attention and controversy with their international activities.
