Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the globe-trotting champions of good causes and self-promotion, have once again decided to make headlines by planning a trip to one of the world's most dangerous countries: Colombia.
Yes, you heard that right. Despite both the UK and US governments issuing travel alerts for the crime-ridden country due to the risks of terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping, the Sussexes are packing their bags and jetting off to South America. According to a British former Royal protection officer who served Harry's family for years, this decision is just another chapter in the saga of Harry and Meghan's questionable choices. "They've chosen to visit one of the most dangerous countries in the world, but nothing amazes me with Harry and Meghan these days," he told a news outlet.
The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to parts of Colombia, while the US Department of State's advisory is even more dire, urging reconsideration of travel due to crime and terrorism. The cynical among us might suggest that they are hoping for a dramatic incident to underscore their supposed vulnerability. Remember the catastrophic New York car chase that seemed more like a scene from a low-budget movie than a real event? Or the infamous fire in the housing unit that turned out to be nothing more than a smoky heater with Archie safely elsewhere? Perhaps Colombia will provide the backdrop for the next act in the ongoing narrative of being hunted.
So, why are they really going to Colombia? According to an invitation from Colombia's Vice President Francia Márquez, the Sussexes will engage with leaders, youths, and women on issues like cyberbullying, online exploitation, and the mental health impacts of these threats. This grand tour will take them to Bogotá as well as the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Chocó and Cali. They will also experience Colombia's rich heritage, which one assumes includes avoiding the more perilous aspects of the country that the travel advisories warn about.
This trip to Colombia comes against the backdrop of Harry's ongoing battle for funded police protection in the UK. After losing his High Court challenge in February against the UK government, Harry was granted permission to take his case to the Court of Appeal. He claims that he can't bring his children, Archie and Lilibet, to the UK without this protection, thereby putting Meghan in danger. Vice President Márquez announced the visit with all the pomp one might expect: "As the Vice President of Colombia and Minister of Equality and Equity, I'm pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country."
The trip, scheduled before the global ministerial conference on ending violence against children in November, will see the Sussexes participating in various activities and discussions about creating safer online environments and tackling issues like cyberbullying and online exploitation. Márquez heaped praise on the Archewell Foundation, founded by the Sussexes, for its global leadership in fostering a safer online environment. During their visit, Harry and Meghan will be involved in activities related to this topic, aiming to illuminate Colombia's role as a beacon of culture and innovation.
It's all very grand and noble-sounding, but one can't help but wonder if it's just another PR move in their endless quest for relevance. In the end, this trip to Colombia might be less about genuine concern for global issues and more about maintaining their spotlight as they jet off to another dangerous locale. The world watches with a mixture of amusement and skepticism. After all, when it comes to Harry and Meghan, there's always more to the story than meets the eye.
