The recent tour of Colombia by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has once again sparked widespread discussion, not just for their public appearances but for the behind-the-scenes drama that unfolded.
The couple, who have been making concerted efforts to control their media narrative, found themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, as their attempts to manage their image backfired in a spectacular fashion. From doctored photos to silent video footage, Harry and Meghan's efforts to curate their public image only served to fuel further speculation. Observers around the world have been quick to analyze what was truly happening during the couple's appearances, with many noting the visible tension between them.
Reports suggest that their relationship was strained, particularly during a moment when Meghan demanded Harry's hand as they entered a public event. Harry, seemingly caught off guard, failed to put on the expected celebrity smile—a lapse that only added to the perception that not everything is as it seems in their world. This incident serves as a reminder that being in the public eye, especially as a former royal, comes with a unique set of expectations.
Celebrities are expected to maintain a certain facade, regardless of the realities behind closed doors. A comparison can be drawn to the recent split of "Bennifer"—Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez—who managed to maintain appearances until the very last moment, only announcing their divorce when it became absolutely necessary. It’s a lesson in media management that Harry, it appears, is still struggling to master.
However, the media missteps did not end with Harry's grim expression. The real debacle occurred at an event with local schoolchildren in Colombia. The children, who had reportedly been promised an appearance by a major Colombian football star, likely James Rodríguez, were instead greeted by Harry and Meghan. To make matters worse, a planned publicity stunt involving one of the children curtseying to Meghan only added to the controversy. The gesture, which was clearly orchestrated for the cameras, drew criticism online, especially given Meghan's own history of refusing to curtsey to senior members of the British royal family.
The double standard was not lost on the public, and the incident quickly became fodder for Meghan's critics. The situation grew even more complicated when reports surfaced that Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez had hoped Harry and Meghan would bring one of their children, particularly Prince Archie, to the event. The presence of a royal child would have created a perfect photo opportunity, especially with the assembled schoolchildren. However, the couple did not bring Archie, nor did they offer a clear explanation for this decision. This reportedly left Márquez and the children disappointed, with some of the kids even asking, "Where's Archie?" The removal of audio from the event footage only added to the speculation that this was an embarrassing moment the couple wanted to keep out of the spotlight.
The confusion didn’t end there. The children, who initially believed they would be meeting a soccer star, were doubly disappointed when they didn’t get to meet someone of their own age group either. What was supposed to be a key moment in the tour, one that could have been a major publicity win for Harry and Meghan, instead became another example of the couple's perceived detachment from reality as they continue to make decisions that appear to prioritize their brand over genuine human connection.
Adding a final twist to the tour's public relations disaster, Meghan briefly mentioned her daughter Lilibet during a conversation in Spanish, joking that the three-year-old is "finding her own voice." While intended to be lighthearted, the comment was met with bemusement, as many wondered what profound insights a toddler could possibly offer. This was yet another moment that highlighted the often bizarre and tone-deaf nature of the Sussexes' public persona.
