Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing for an upcoming tour to Colombia, a decision that has sparked discontent among Royal insiders.
The choice of Colombia as their next destination, especially so soon after their visit to Nigeria, has been met with criticism from former courtiers and royal commentators. A former courtier, speaking to The Daily Beast, expressed concerns about what they perceive as the Sussexes’ disregard for Royal traditions.
The ex-courtier stated, "I'm afraid that it shows the utter contempt they have for the King and for the long-established ways of doing things." Traditionally, Royal tours are centered around diplomacy, fostering international relationships, and reinforcing alliances on behalf of Britain. This tour, while possibly well-intentioned, is clearly not being conducted on behalf of the British Crown, yet Harry and Meghan continue to present themselves as British Royals. This critique underscores the ongoing frustration within the Royal Family regarding the Sussexes’ approach to their public engagements. The former courtier further remarked, "This shows exactly why the Royals want to keep these two as far away as possible."
Compounding the controversy, Prince Harry encountered a significant setback related to their Colombian visit. According to a video on the R Saga YouTube channel, a prestigious hotel in Colombia abruptly canceled Harry's five-star accommodation reservation. Sources close to the hotel attributed the cancellation to a change in circumstances that made it impossible to honor the booking. However, speculation suggests that the decision might have been influenced by the growing backlash against the Sussexes. In Colombia, local sentiment reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Harry’s visit, which may have played a role in the hotel’s decision. This cancellation adds to the rising criticism of the couple, who have been accused of displaying a sense of entitlement and relentlessly seeking media attention since stepping down as senior members of the British Royal Family.
Since their departure from official Royal duties, Harry and Meghan have been striving to redefine their public roles. However, their decision to visit Colombia, a country known for having one of the highest murder rates in the world, has raised concerns, particularly in light of Harry’s recent frustrations with security arrangements in the UK. Harry has expressed disappointment, alleging that King Charles could intervene in his legal battle over security provisions. It’s important to note that decisions regarding Royal security are made by the government, not the King. A Royal source emphasized that it would be entirely inappropriate for the King to directly influence security decisions. However, a source close to Harry contended, "If the King wanted, he could do this for his son."
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams noted that Harry and Meghan have been eager to criticize the Royal Family, often using their platform to discuss issues that could embarrass the institution. Fitzwilliams observed, "They’ve shown in the last couple of weeks that they’re not afraid to bring up material that would embarrass the Royal Family or refer to rifts within it. That’s only a step away from overtly criticizing it." He continued, "They would say that they’re doing what they believe is right, in the way they feel best able to do it. What it will do, however, is draw attention to the Sussexes, rather than to the Royal Family." Fitzwilliams highlighted that the ongoing rift between the Sussexes and the Royal Family remains a significant issue, impacting public perception of both parties.
