Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have again chosen to visit one of the world’s most dangerous countries, a British former royal protectio…
Duchess of Sussex will head to Colombia on an undisclosed date later this year despite both the UK and US governments issuing travel alerts for the crime-ridden country amid fears over the risk of terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping.
And the Sussexes’ decision to accept an invitation to visit from the country’s vice president Francia Mrquez comes amid Harry’s ongoing security battle in the UK.
One British former royal protection officer, who served Harry’s family for several years, told MailOnline: ‘They have chosen to visit one, if not the most, dangerous countries in the world. But nothing amazes me [with Harry and Meghan] these days.’
The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office ‘advises against all but essential travel to parts of Colombia’. And the US Department of State issued a travel advisory for Colombia stating: ‘Reconsider travel due to crime and terrorism. Exercise increased caution due to civil unrest and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.’
It comes after they took a four-person security team to Nigeria for their tour in May amid concerns over the risk of violence, terrorism and kidnapping in the country.
Prince Harry and Meghan at the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on July 11
Colombia’s vice president Francia Mrquez at the Festival Of Culture in New Orleans on July 6
The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office states that it ‘advises against all but essential travel to parts of Colombia’. The areas affected are those shaded in orange in the above map
In Colombia, the Sussexes will ‘engage with leaders, youth and women’ and join activities related to ‘cyberbullying, online exploitation and the mental health impacts of these threats’.
Ms Mrquez’s office said the couple would ‘experience the rich heritage of Colombia’ and help ‘illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation’.
She added that the visit would precede the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, which will be in Colombia this November.
It comes after Harry – who now lives in Montecito, California – lost his High Court challenge in London in February against the UK Government over his right to state-funded police protection when visiting Britain.
Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest against a tax reform bill in Bogota in 2021
Protesters clash with riot police during demonstrations against tax reform in May 2021
Protests against the Colombian government in the Madrid municipality near Bogota in 2021
He had told a judge that he did not feel able to bring his children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, to the UK and could not put Meghan ‘in danger like that’.
Harry was then given permission in May to go to the Court of Appeal over the decision made in 2020 by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which is part of the Home Office.
Confirming their visit today, Ms Mrquez said: ‘As the vice president of Colombia and minister of equality and equity, I am pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country.
‘During their trip, the Duke and Duchess will join me in visiting Bogot, as well as the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Cartagena and Cali.
‘In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress.
Harry and Meghan will visit Bogota (pictured) as part of their tour of Colombia later this year
The UK’s Foreign Office ‘advises against all but essential travel to parts of Colombia’
The US Department of State says of Colombia: ‘Reconsider travel due to crime and terrorism. Exercise increased caution due to civil unrest and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk’
‘In addition to these meaningful interactions, the Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.’
She added that the visit would come at a ‘particularly significant time’ given that it precedes the Ending Violence Against Children conference.
Continuing, Ms Mrquez said: ‘The Archewell Foundation, founded by the Duke and Duchess, is renowned for its global leadership in fostering a safer online environment.
‘The forthcoming conference will unveil a comprehensive framework for creating safer physical and digital spaces, tackling issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and the mental health impacts of these threats.
‘It will offer actionable solutions and commitments for countries around the world. During their visit, The Duke and Duchess, as well as The Archewell Foundation, will engage in several activities related to this important topic.
The full statement from Colombia’s vice president Francia Mrquez confirming the visit
‘We are confident that their visit will further illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation.’
Around the same time as the Colombia announcement, CBS released a clip of an upcoming interview with Harry and Meghan, with the Duke saying parents have to be ‘first responders’.
The Prince went onto say that ‘terrifyingly’ many parents do not know to ‘tell the signs of possible suicide’.
The full interview with appear on the US channel’s Sunday Morning show – three years on from their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey on the same network.
Meghan said: ‘Our kids are young, they’re three and five, they’re amazing, but all you want to do as parents is protect them. And so as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good.’
Also today, CBS released a clip of Harry and Meghan in an interview about children and the online world, which will be broadcast on the US channel’s Sunday Morning show
Harry continued: ‘At this point we’ve got to the stage where almost every parent needs to be a first responder. And even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to tell the signs of possible suicide. That is the terrifying piece of this.’
In May, Harry and Meghan went on a three-day visit to Nigeria on the invitation of the country’s chief of defence staff.
The couple visited a school, met injured service members at a military hospital and attended training sessions for charity organisation which work with the Invictus Games.
They also went to a reception where military families were honoured, and Meghan to co-hosted an event of Women in Leadership with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organisation.
The couple’s other engagements included a basketball camp with Giants of Africa, a cultural reception and a polo fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered.
