Despite leaving their official royal duties behind in 2020, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are once again embarking on an international trip—this time to Colombia.
However, this journey is not an official royal visit. Instead, it appears to be more focused on enhancing their personal brand and engaging in some degree of virtue signaling. Grant Harold, a former royal butler, has weighed in on this latest development. He speculates that Meghan and Harry might be using this trip as a way to ease their way back into the royal fold. "I think this could be one of the initial steps towards Meghan and Harry re-entering the realm of working royals," Harold suggested.
He also noted the importance of determining whether this trip has been sanctioned by the Palace or if Harry sought his father's permission. Harold warned that if the Sussexes undertake this tour without the Palace's approval, it could lead to significant repercussions within royal circles.
The Sussexes' visit to Colombia, scheduled for later this summer, is not officially sanctioned. The trip aligns with the goals of the Royal Foundation, particularly its focus on internet safety, and will occur before the World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children in November. Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez has expressed her excitement about the visit, stating, "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." While the Vice President is enthusiastic, the general sentiment in Colombia is less warm. A local commentator on X criticized the visit as an unwelcome intrusion of royal pretension into a nation without a royal tradition.
Historically, Colombia's diplomatic interactions have been fraught with missteps. For instance, a visit by former Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, for a memorial inauguration was tainted by an awkward revelation that the memorial was dedicated to a battle many Colombians consider an act of piracy by British forces. The memorial was later discreetly dismantled, leaving a blemish on the event. Fast forward to 2024, and Colombia's new leftist president, known for his own brand of virtue signaling, is welcoming the Sussexes. This pairing seems like a match made in "woke" heaven, with both parties eager to showcase their progressive credentials while enjoying the trappings of wealth. Additionally, there are curious reports about the Colombian president's sporadic disappearances, often coinciding with bouts of hangovers. One can only hope that Prince Harry avoids any unsavory local indulgences during his visit.
Ultimately, the purpose of this visit appears dubious at best. Beyond the anticipated media coverage, lavish state dinners, and photo opportunities with impoverished locals, it remains unclear what concrete benefits this trip will bring. The Sussexes' penchant for grand gestures and self-promoting ventures suggests that this trip may be more about garnering attention and virtue signaling than making a meaningful impact. As Meghan and Harry prepare for their Colombian adventure, one can only speculate whether their trip will be marred by yet another diplomatic misstep or if it will simply add another chapter to their ongoing saga of high-profile, self-serving gestures.
