Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's tour of Colombia has plummeted to new depths that even the most cynical observers might not have anticipated.
What was undoubtedly intended to be a glittering showcase of the couple's global influence has instead disintegrated into a spectacle of awkwardness and visibly empty venues. The first day of the tour began with Meghan Markle addressing online safety at the Responsible Digital Future Summit, hosted by the R Foundation in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President of Colombia and Illuminate. While the event was poised to be a grand affair, it was marred by one glaring issue: the lack of an audience.
During her speech, Meghan implored online trolls to reflect on the values instilled in them by their parents or grandparents before making hurtful comments online. While her message was noble, it appeared to have little impact, primarily because there were so few people present to hear it. The situation deteriorated further when it became evident that Meghan had not yet mastered Spanish—an essential skill when addressing an audience in a Spanish-speaking nation. Those few who attended were left questioning their decision to come, as the abundance of empty seats around them spoke volumes.
One might assume that after such a disappointing start, efforts would be made to ensure a better turnout for the rest of the tour. However, that was not the case. Speculation arose that the couple might have resorted to hiring a crowd, as they allegedly did during their tour of Nigeria, where enthusiastic supporters seemingly materialized out of thin air. In Colombia, however, even this rumored tactic appeared unavailable, leaving the Duke and Duchess to confront near-empty venues on their own.
The subsequent event was predictably another failure, held at a location with minimal seating, perhaps as a nod to the anticipated low turnout. The idea that people would willingly sit under the scorching sun just to hear Harry and Meghan speak seems almost comical. Unsurprisingly, the crowd was as sparse as ever. To make matters worse, the tour was riddled with a series of personal embarrassments. Meghan was photographed with sweat stains—a trivial detail, but one that the press eagerly seized upon. Meanwhile, Harry's thinning hair has become increasingly noticeable, further contributing to the image of a couple whose best days seem to be behind them. The stark contrast between their current reality and their once-glamorous lifestyle has never been more apparent.
But perhaps the most absurd aspect of this entire fiasco is the level of security that accompanied them. Despite the lack of significant crowds, over 3,000 security personnel, including military forces, were reportedly deployed. The sight of heavily armed guards protecting virtually empty venues was almost poetic—a fitting metaphor for the futility of the entire endeavor. It begs the question: why were such extreme measures necessary when there was hardly anyone to protect them from?
In the end, the Colombian tour has accomplished one thing: it has solidified Harry and Meghan's status as figures of diminishing relevance. Their attempts to remain in the spotlight have only served to underscore how far they have fallen from it. This tour, if nothing else, has made it painfully clear that the Sussexes are no longer the captivating figures they once were.
