Security-conscious Harry and Meghan are set to embark on another ‘royal tour’ of sorts, this time to crime-ridden Colombia.
The prince continues his battle through the British courts to obtain official police protection, saying it is not safe to bring his family to his native country.
But after a trip to Nigeria this year, the Sussexes are travelling to South America this month.
Colombia’s Vice President Francia Marquez announced yesterday that the couple will visit Bogota and the regions of Cartagena and Cali to “engage with leaders, youth and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress.”
The visit is linked to a conference in November on ending violence against children, with both the Duke and Duchess and their Archewell Foundation ‘undertaking a range of activities related to this important issue’.
After a trip to Nigeria this year, the Sussexes (pictured in Nigeria in May) will travel to South America this month
The visit is linked to a conference in November on ending violence against children and both the Duke and Duchess will ‘participate in a range of activities related to this important topic’
However, many will see a considerable irony in the fact that the couple are visiting Colombia so soon after their trip to the equally troubled Lagos, due to Harry’s court case over the withdrawal of his protection by the Metropolitan Police.
According to the British Foreign Office, there is a “high threat” of terrorist attacks and kidnappings for ransom in both countries, with particular implications for “British interests and British citizens”.
The couple are also set to appear on US television this weekend, just days after “friends” publicly complained that Harry’s phone calls to King Charles were going “unanswered”.
While the royal family had hoped for a quiet summer retreat in Scotland, especially after the King and Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer, the Sussexes appear to be deliberately ramping up their public profile.
This weekend they will be on CBS’s Sunday Morning program, where they will talk about online dangers.
In a clip promoting the interview, the couple can be seen discussing their own children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, with Meghan saying: ‘Our children are young, they’re three and five. They’re amazing.
“But as parents, you want to protect your children above all. And now that we see what’s happening online, we know there’s still a lot of work to be done. We’re happy that we can contribute to a positive change.”
Harry added: ‘We’re at the point now where almost every parent has to be a first responder. And even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to recognise the signs of possible suicide. That’s the terrifying thing about this.’
It is their first joint television interview since their controversial 2022 Netflix documentary, in which they again made a series of venomous accusations against the prince’s family.
And that after “friends”, “several well-placed insiders” and “former employees” this week informed the Sussex-friendly magazine People about Harry’s relationship with his father and the ongoing legal proceedings in the UK.
Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez announced yesterday that the couple would visit Bogota and the regions of Cartagena and Cali
The prince continues his battle through the British courts for official police protection, claiming it is unsafe to bring his family to his native country
According to the Foreign Office, Colombia is considered a “high threat” from terrorist attacks and kidnappings for ransom, particularly affecting “British interests and British citizens”.
The couple are also set to appear on US television this weekend, just days after ‘friends’ publicly complained that Harry’s calls to King Charles were going ‘unanswered’
The magazine claimed that Harry firmly believes his father has the power to overturn the decision by Ravec – the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royal Families and Public Figures – to strip him of his 24-hour Met Police security when he gave up his royal duties and the UK to live in California in 2020 while he and Meghan pursued lucrative business opportunities abroad.
Buckingham Palace refuses to comment on security matters, but it is understood that this view is “completely and conclusively” false and that the monarch has “no power whatsoever” to influence Ravec, who is acting on behalf of the government.
The magazine’s sources claim the matter has created an “impenetrable wall” between father and son – at least as far as the prince is concerned. People wrote: “Those who know Harry well say the monarch has stopped taking his son’s calls or replying to his letters. ‘He is now ‘unreachable’, the friend says. ‘His calls go unanswered.’
And in what will undoubtedly be seen as a thinly veiled and highly inflammatory threat from Team Sussex, the magazine continues: ‘But if the issue of security is resolved, ‘then it’s ‘down with the sword’,’ says Harry’s friend, because ‘nothing more would happen’ [Harry] more happiness than being able to restore the bond with his father.’
The palace declined to comment yesterday, but the Mail reported more than a year ago that the king’s patience with his youngest son had run out and he was in no mood to accommodate him, particularly his demands that the family apologise to him and Meghan.
Harry now refuses to bring his wife and children to the UK until the security issue is resolved to his satisfaction, leaving him fearful that the King will never see his grandchildren again.
But the Mail understands the Palace is in no mood to dance to Harry’s tune.
A source with knowledge of the palace’s thinking on the matter said sarcastically: ‘The king has no power to influence the decision [by Ravec].
But putting that aside for a moment, it’s worth noting – again – that it was Harry’s choice to leave Britain and it is his decision to pursue what many might consider a hopeless case against the Home Office.
“It has also not gone unnoticed that he is waging this battle from a country where gun crime is high and where even people with armed protection are not immune to threats.”
The Sussexes’ press team have been contacted for comment.
In February, Harry unanimously lost a High Court case against the government over his safety in the UK.
