Prince Harry “wants to elevate Meghan Markle to the status she is entitled to” with his quasi-royal tour of Colombia, a royal author has claimed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel to the South American country later this week after being invited by Colombia’s Vice President Francia Marquez.
The couple, who stepped down from royal duties in January 2020 and moved to Montecito, California, also visited Nigeria earlier this year on a royal-style trip.
Ahead of the couple’s visit to Colombia, royal author Anna Pasternak drew a comparison to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s infamous trip to Germany in 1937, less than a year after the abdication crisis.
Talking with The telegraphThe expert explained: ‘They accepted (the invitation) because Edward felt very hurt and angry at the way Wallis had been rejected by the royal family and desperately wanted her to experience the pomp and ceremony of a royal tour.
Pictured: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Abuja in May 2024 as part of their quasi-royal tour of Nigeria.
“He wanted Wallis to be addressed as Her Royal Highness and for people to curtsy to her. I’m not suggesting Harry wants the pomp and ceremony of a royal tour, but there is a sense he would like to elevate Meghan to the status afforded to her.”
What’s more, the author – who wrote Princess in Love and The American Duchess – noted how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “really value the approval of the people of the country they are visiting.”
Anna added: “They can go and be honoured in their own right.”
The trip will allow Meghan, who celebrated her 43rd birthday on Sunday, to show off her fluent Spanish that she learned at a private school in Los Angeles and honed during her time as an intern at the U.S. Embassy in Argentina.
But for many Colombians, the Sussexes’ visit is seen as little more than a cynical attempt by the government to use the glamorous couple as “political pawns” to divert attention from a series of scandals that have engulfed the regime.
A prominent Bogotá lawyer told The Mail on Sunday: “I’m sure Meghan and Harry mean well, but here everyone is talking about how obvious they are being manipulated.
“Of course, their stardom will be used to draw attention to the poor and certain sectors of Colombian culture… but the reality is that the Colombian government has been mired in scandal since it took power two years ago. They need something that will appease people at home and make them look good abroad.”
Vice President Marquez’s office said yesterday that the trip would begin on Thursday, but did not reveal any details.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured) will travel to the South American country later this week after being invited by Colombia’s Vice President Francia Marquez.
Royal expert Anna Pasternak said of the couple’s trip to Colombia: “They can go and be honoured in their own right.”
Earlier this week, it was revealed that the couple’s new chief of staff had “resigned after just three months” in the role.
When the Duke of Sussex appointed Josh Kettler as his grandly titled chief of staff earlier this year, he was said to be the perfect man to “guide” Harry “through his next stage”.
However, the Daily Mail has learned that Mr Kettler has suddenly quit his job after just three months.
“Josh Kettler no longer works for them,” a California source told this newspaper today.
In May, Mr Kettler joined Harry on a visit to London to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, the sporting event the prince created for wounded and sick military personnel.
Ahead of the couple’s visit to Colombia, royal author Anna Pasternak drew a comparison to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s infamous trip to Germany in 1937, less than a year after the abdication crisis.
Prince Harry and Meghan with Mr Kettler (circled) at their side. His role in the visit was said to be a foretaste of what he would achieve in the future.
The couple are expected to stay in the £2,500-a-night presidential suite at the Sofitel Legend Hotel in Cartagena (pictured)
Mr Kettler was seen entering St Paul’s Cathedral with the Duke for the anniversary service, which was attended by figures including Harry’s uncle Earl Spencer but no other members of the Royal Family.
Later that month, Kettler was a key figure in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s three-day “tour” of Nigeria and was at Harry’s side when he met government officials in the West African country. Her role in the visit was said to be a preview of what she would achieve in the future.
Mr Kettler’s short time in office highlights the difficulties the Duke and Duchess have had in retaining staff.
The total number of members the Sussexes have lost since tying the knot in 2018 is said to be at least 18, with nine or more leaving since they moved to California in 2020.
A former staff member told the Daily Mail yesterday: “What may be most telling is that in all the time I worked there, I don’t think I ever heard any current or former employee of their staff say they would take the job again if given the chance.
‘These are not employees they just found on the street.
“Many of them are people who had already excelled working for demanding bosses in high-performance companies and environments.” Kettler, believed to be American, had previously worked for Cognixion, a medical equipment manufacturer.
The Daily Mail reported in April that the Duchess of Sussex had failed to find a chief executive for her new cooking and lifestyle business, American Riviera Orchard, despite interviewing several candidates.
Meghan is said to be hoping the brand, which will focus on home, garden, food and lifestyle items, will be highly lucrative.
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