If the reports of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s trip to Colombia this month are true, it would certainly generate a lot of interest and discussion. While the official confirmation from their spokesperson or the Colombian government is still pending, the prospect of the Sussexes visiting the country is already stirring up quite a bit of speculation and anticipation.
One of the key questions surrounding this potential trip is how the Sussexes will manage their security arrangements. As we’ve seen in the past, the British government has been reluctant to provide Harry and Meghan with the level of protection they feel is necessary, leading them to seek security support from other countries during their international travels. Given Colombia’s reputation for safety and security challenges, it will be interesting to see how the local authorities there handle the Sussexes’ security needs and whether they are willing to provide the VIP-level treatment that the couple has received in some other countries.
The British media outlets, which have often been critical of the Sussexes, are likely eagerly awaiting confirmation of this trip, as they would undoubtedly see it as an opportunity to cover the couple’s activities and interactions in Colombia. The fact that the Sussexes tend to only confirm their travel plans at the last minute, as they did with their Nigerian tour, is probably frustrating for these media outlets, as it makes it more difficult for them to plan and prepare their coverage.
“The news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are undertaking a quasi-royal tour of Colombia hasn’t gone down brilliantly among Windsor loyalists.
One former courtier told The Daily Beast: “I’m afraid it shows the utter contempt they have for the king and for very long-established ways of doing things. Royal tours have always, always been about diplomacy, building bridges and reinforcing friendships on behalf of Britain. This tour may well have the noblest intentions, but it is clearly not being carried out on behalf of Britain, and yet they still basically portray themselves as British royals. It shows you exactly why the royals want these two kept as far away as possible.”
It is certainly true that the trip to Colombia later this month casts an interesting light on exactly why King Charles III, as many believe, is failing to use his influence to get Harry the automatic protection in the U.K. that he so desires.”[FROM THE DAILY BEAST]
Regardless of the media’s reaction, the Sussexes’ visit to Colombia would likely be seen as a positive development by their supporters around the world. The couple has been praised for their humanitarian work and their willingness to engage with different cultures and communities, and a trip to a country like Colombia, with its rich history and vibrant people, would likely be viewed as an extension of their global outreach and advocacy efforts.
