Security-conscious Harry and Meghan are embarking on another quasi-royal tour, this time to crime-ridden Colombia.
The prince is continuing his fight in British courts to obtain official police protection, arguing that it is not safe to bring his family back to his country of birth.
But after a trip to Nigeria this year, the Sussexes will travel to South America this month.
Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez revealed yesterday that the couple will visit Bogotá, as well as the regions of Cartagena and Cali, to “meet with leaders, young people and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress.”
The visit is in connection with a conference in November on ending violence against children and the Duke and Duchess and their Archewell Foundation will be “taking part in a number of activities relating to this important issue”.
Following a trip to Nigeria earlier this year, the Sussexes (pictured in Nigeria in May) will travel to South America this month.
The visit is linked to a conference in November on ending violence against children and both the Duke and Duchess will be “taking part in a number of activities relating to this important issue”.
However, many may see a great deal of irony in the fact that the couple are visiting Colombia so soon after their trip to equally troubled Lagos, in light of Harry’s court case over the withdrawal of his protection by the Metropolitan Police.
Both countries are considered to be at “high threat” of terrorist attack and kidnapping for ransom, particularly affecting “UK interests and citizens”, according to the Foreign Office.
The couple are also planning to appear on US television this weekend, just days after “friends” publicly complained that Harry’s calls to King Charles “are going unanswered”.
While the Royal Family had hoped to enjoy a quiet summer in Scotland, particularly following the cancer diagnoses of the King and Princess of Wales, the Sussexes appear to be deliberately raising their public profile.
They will appear on CBS’s primetime morning show Sunday Morning this weekend, speaking about the issue of online harm.
In a clip promoting the interview, the couple are shown talking about their own children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, with Meghan saying: “Our children are young, they’re three and five. They’re amazing.
“But all we want to do as parents is protect them and as we can see what is happening in the online space, we know there is a lot of work to be done there and we are happy to be able to be a part of the change for good.”
Harry added: “At this point, we’ve reached a stage where almost every parent has to be a first responder. And even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to spot the signs of a possible suicide. That’s the scary part of this.”
It is their first joint television interview since their controversial 2022 Netflix documentary, in which they re-aired a series of vitriolic accusations against the prince’s family.
This comes after “friends,” “multiple well-placed insiders” and “former employees” briefed Sussex-friendly People magazine this week about Harry’s relationship with his father and ongoing court battles in the UK.
Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez revealed yesterday that the couple will visit Bogotá, as well as the regions of Cartagena and Cali.
The prince is continuing his fight through the British courts to obtain official police protection, arguing that it is not safe to bring his family back to the country of his birth.
According to the Foreign Office, Colombia faces a “high threat” of terrorist attack and kidnapping for ransom, particularly affecting “British interests and citizens.”
The couple are also planning to appear on US television this weekend, just days after their “friends” publicly complained that Harry’s calls to King Charles “are not being answered”.
The magazine claimed that Harry firmly believes his father has the power to overturn the decision by Ravec, the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royals and Public Figures, to strip him of his round-the-clock security from the Metropolitan Police when he left royal duties and the UK to live in California in 2020 while he and Meghan pursued lucrative business opportunities abroad.
Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on security matters, but it is understood that this belief is “wholly and incontrovertibly” wrong and that the monarch “has no such power” to influence Ravec, who is operating on behalf of the Government.
The magazine’s sources say the affair has created an “impenetrable wall” between father and son, at least as far as the prince is concerned. People wrote: “Harry’s close associates say the monarch is no longer answering his son’s calls or letters. ‘He’s not available right now,’ the friend says. ‘He’s not answering his calls.'”
And in what is sure to be seen as a thinly veiled and highly incendiary threat from Team Sussex, the magazine continues: “However, if the security issue is resolved, ‘swords will fall’,” says Harry’s friend, as nothing “would give[Harry]more happiness than being able to rekindle the bond with his father.”
The Palace declined to comment yesterday, but the Mail revealed more than a year ago that the King’s patience with his youngest son had worn thin and he was in no mood to please him, particularly over his demands that the family owed him and Meghan an apology.
Harry is now refusing to bring his wife and children to the UK until the security issue is resolved to his satisfaction, raising fears the King may never see his grandchildren again.
But the Mail understands the Palace is in no mood to dance to Harry’s tune.
A source with knowledge of the Palace’s thinking on the issue said mischievously: “The King has no power to affect (Ravec’s) decision.
‘But leaving that aside, it is worth noting, once again, that it was Harry’s choice to leave Britain and it is his decision to press ahead with what many might consider this frankly hopeless case against the Home Office.
“It has also not gone unnoticed that he is doing so from a country with high levels of gun crime and where even individuals who receive armed protection are not immune to threats.”
The Sussexes’ press team has been contacted for comment.
In February, Harry unanimously lost a High Court appeal against the government over his safety while in the UK.