Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent excursion to Colombia has swiftly turned into a grand spectacle, though not for the reasons they had anticipated.
Their so-called raw tour of the South American nation has been met with an eye-watering display of extravagant security measures and, more strikingly, a surprisingly lackluster turnout. On their third day in Colombia, the couple traveled to the coastal town of Cúcuta, where they were slated to visit the Tambor de Cabildo music school.
Upon their arrival in Cúcuta, the Sussexes were greeted with a level of security more befitting a head of state than a pair of former royals seeking to reshape their public image. As Harry and Meghan traveled from the capital, Bogotá, to Cúcuta, the city effectively went into lockdown. A police Blackhawk helicopter hovered ominously above, while drones buzzed around like oversized mosquitoes. Streets were cordoned off, and a black police vehicle, seemingly equipped to handle anything from nuclear threats to bioterrorism, was stationed outside. Adding to the absurdity, an ambulance was on standby, ready to respond to any potential medical emergencies stemming from the sheer scale of the security operation.
As the Sussexes emerged from their Toyota Land Cruiser, they were surrounded by an impressive display of security personnel, including ballistic briefcases, Kevlar shields, and a phalanx of armed officers. The drumming school, set against a picturesque beach backdrop, was encircled by a formidable ring of police and soldiers. Despite the show of pomp and circumstance, the anticipated crowds did not materialize. Local media reported that Cúcuta's mayor, D.C.H. Turb, had been deliberately excluded from the event. Turb, clearly disgruntled, told W Radio that Vice President Francia Márquez had not invited him to any of the events and added that he would be sending a gift through the foreign ministry as a gesture of goodwill to make up for his exclusion.
Inside the venue, the scene was hardly better. After an hour of what was presumably a grand performance featuring the Sussexes nodding along to drumming beats and trying to appear engaged, Harry and Meghan made their exit. The departure was shielded by a barricade of vehicles designed to obscure the view of their leaving, as if trying to hide the embarrassing reality of their tepid engagement. No media were allowed inside, although footage and photos were promised to be released later by the vice president’s office and the Sussexes’ team. With the streets virtually empty and local interest waning, one might question the purpose of the entire affair.
The excessive security and the sparse public interest highlight a broader issue: the Sussexes' diminishing influence. The elaborate protection for an audience that failed to materialize underscores their increasingly tenuous hold on public fascination. What was meant to be a heartfelt tour demonstrating their commitment to cultural and social causes instead emphasized their growing irrelevance. In stark contrast, consider the recent royal visit of Prince William and Princess Catherine to Jamaica, where crowds turned out in droves to welcome them. The disparity could not be more pronounced. While the Sussexes enjoyed an extravagant security spectacle, their public appeal in Colombia remained conspicuously muted.
