The recent visit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, to Colombia has been described as a success, although it has not been without controversy.
The couple, who are in the country until August 18, 2024, have scheduled a series of events focused on their social work, especially around the safety of internet users.
Although the circumstances appear favorable, publications such as The Mirror have compiled various controversies surrounding the couple, who have distanced themselves from the royals, but whose recent trip gives the impression of having been meticulously planned by Buckingham Palace itself.
Controversy over Meghan and Harry’s visit to Colombia
Upon their arrival, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted by Colombia’s Vice President Francia Márquez, who highlighted the importance of the visit and its connection to the Netflix series that chronicles her life.
“I saw the Netflix series about their life, their story and it moved me and motivated me to say this is a woman who deserves to come to our country and tell her story and her exchange will undoubtedly be an empowerment to so many women in the world,” Márquez said.
This statement, although positive, raised doubts about the true nature of the invitation and the media influence on her arrival.
Another relevant fact was the vice president’s mention of Harry’s mother Diana’s desire to visit Colombia.
“I think Prince Harry being here today after the dream of his mum’s of visiting this country is an opportunity to show the best of our nation, to show who Colombians are. We are people who in the midst of adversities do everything possible to give the best of ourselves.”
The extreme security surrounding the couple has also drawn criticism. With a deployment of armed soldiers and police, their protection has been a matter of controversy, especially given Harry’s history of wanting to protect his family at all costs.
This highlights a persistent challenge he has faced since deciding to leave the royal family: the struggle to ensure the safety of his wife and children, which has led to their avoidance of returning to the UK.
On the other hand, Meghan and Harry’s outfits have garnered attention. Meghan chose to fuse modern pieces with Colombian designer dresses, a gesture that celebrates the local culture.
Harry, meanwhile, at one of his events, wore a necklace that supposedly symbolizes the feud with his brother, Prince William; this necklace was broken during an argument, as he recounts in his book “Spare.”
The dynamic between the couple has also been the subject of analysis. Body language experts have noted that Harry appears uncomfortable during the tour, and one particular moment was when Meghan asked him to pass her hand, which some interpreted as a sign of tension in their relationship.
In addition, the trip to Colombia has provoked mixed reactions within the British royal family. According to reports in The Mirror, Prince William is upset with the “quasi-royal” visit and has expressed his desire to publicly question the validity of the trip.
Royal commentator Tom Quinn has pointed out that Prince William’s irritation stems from the fact that the trip does not have the official backing of the royal family.
William considers it essential to make a statement clarifying that the Sussexes’ tour of Colombia is not officially sanctioned.
However, King Charles III takes a different approach, preferring to remain silent, convinced that not responding to such situations is the best strategy to avoid further problems.
The situation highlights the lingering tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family, reflecting the complicated dynamics that have emerged since Harry and Meghan decided to disassociate themselves from their official roles.
