Janice R. Andrews
Royal specialists have raised substantial dissatisfaction over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent travel to Colombia. They accuse the pair of being hypocritical in their professed worries about privacy and safety. This trip has rekindled the discussion on their security posture, particularly in the context of Prince Harry’s earlier remarks regarding the risks associated with traveling to the UK because of the increased media attention.
An Unpopular Visit
Vice President Francia Márquez extended an invitation to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to spend four days in Colombia. They visited a charter school, had a meeting with Márquez, and took part in talks about social media and digital safety while they were there, among other things. Participating in traditional customs and meeting Colombia’s Invictus Games participants were also on the couple’s itinerary.
Although their trip was enjoyable, others have questioned their decision to travel to Colombia. The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3 travel alert for the nation, advising travelers to “reconsider travel” because of increased crime and terrorism. Similar cautions are echoed by the official UK website, which advises against visiting any sections of Colombia unless absolutely necessary.
Security Concerns and Hypocrisy
Hilary Fordwich, a royal specialist, attacked the Sussexes for acting in a way that contradicts her perception of their character. According to Fordwich, “Harry’s hypocrisy is at its peak during this entire tour.” “He has claimed he is concerned regarding security in the U.K. [but] Colombia is ranked far more dangerous.” The expert’s remarks are in line with a growing belief held by some that Prince Harry’s security worries could be selective or overblown.
The author of “The King,” Christopher Andersen, reiterated these ideas. He drew attention to the couple’s seeming inconsistency in agreeing to tour Colombia given their prior hesitation to travel to the UK without royal protection. “It does seem odd that Harry and Meghan consider London too dangerous to visit without royal protection but are perfectly willing to tour a country that is notorious for its drug-related violence,” Andersen stated.
Given the dangers to their safety in Colombia, the couple allegedly had a large security team in place. In order to emphasize the risks of the trip, Andersen also mentioned that Vice President Francia Márquez, who extended the invitation to the Sussexes, has been the victim of many assassination attempts and death threats.
Ongoing Court Case Concerning Security
Safety worries raised by Prince Harry are not new. His plea for access to taxpayer-funded personal protective protection when visiting the UK has resulted in a protracted judicial struggle. Harry said that the animosity his family suffered from the UK media was putting them in risk when this court battle started more than four years ago. His attempt to appeal a previous decision that restricted his access to publicly financed security was denied by a High Court judge in April.
Andersen thinks Prince Harry’s prospects of getting his father, King Charles III, to change his mind on the matter may have been harmed by this trip to Colombia. “I think this trip pretty much puts the nail in the coffin of any hopes Harry might have had to convince the King to change his mind,” said Andersen.
Relationships with the Royal Family Are Tense
There is more to the security concerns surrounding the Sussexes’ trip to Colombia than meets the eye. Some have also viewed their visit as an effort to carry out a “royal tour,” even though they are no longer active senior royals. According to reports, this viewpoint has irritated members of the royal family, especially Prince William and King Charles III.
“What really ruffles royal feathers isn’t the Sussexes’ decision to visit a risky area of the world,” Andersen clarified. Harry and Meghan’s journey to Colombia has all the makings of a royal tour, just like their trip to Nigeria in May, which infuriates Prince William and the King.” There are individuals within the royal family who find it disturbing that the couple is still treated as senior royals when they travel abroad.
The idea that Harry and Meghan are using their royal ties to uphold their public personas is another factor fueling the conflict. “Even the King would like to have the kind of freedom Harry and Meghan have to do their own thing,” Andersen stated. Senior royals are irritated by the couple’s continuous public image due to their affiliation with the Crown, he pointed out.
Effect on Family Relations
There has been considerable talk about the ongoing conflict between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the other members of the royal family. Relationships have soured as a result of the couple’s choice to leave their position as senior royals and move to California, especially with Harry’s father and brother. Since then, the Sussexes have established their Archewell Foundation and welcomed two children, Archie and Lilibet, among other endeavors. They have also struck arrangements with Netflix.
Despite their achievements, some royal specialists, such as Hilary Fordwich, doubt the couple’s dedication to raising a family. Fordwich responded, “If she’s really concerned as a mother about her own children, as she claimed, she has destroyed family relationships on both sides, her own family and the royal family.” to Markle’s remarks regarding online safety and the value of modeling good behavior for children.
In an effort to heal the rift between the Sussexes and the other members of the royal family, there have been demands made for Harry to refrain from discussing his family in public. “Members of the royal family have told Harry if he wants a relationship with the rest of the family, then first and foremost, he has got to stop talking about them,” royal journalist Russell Myers recently told Sky News Australia.
Final Thoughts
Discussions about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s security issues, their connection with the royal family, and the wider ramifications of their public personas have been rekindled by their journey to Colombia. Every step the couple takes while navigating their jobs outside of the royal family will probably be closely followed by the media and royal specialists alike.
