Colombian government deny damaging Harry and Meghan rumours

The government of Colombia has made a rare public comment about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent “royal tour” and clarified who really paid for the Sussexes’ visit.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “financed their own trip” to Colombia during their recent “royal tour”, a government official from the South American nation has claimed.

The Sussexes completed a four day visit to Colombia a week ago after an invitation from the country’s glamorous Vice President Francia Marquez.

However, Harry and Meghan faced criticism for accepting the trip due to the reported security costs required to keep the former working royals safe.

The security bill for the Sussexes’ visit has been estimated to have cost Bogota about $2 million, including weapons of war like drones, a van equipped with a chemical biological nuclear response unit and a helicopter.

The Sussexes visited the historical town of San Basilio de Palenque on Saturday flanked by security

As photos from the visit revealed, Harry and Meghan’s security team also included an officer armed with a Kevlar shield to stop any potential shooter taking aim at the couple.

Amid the criticism of the tour’s costs, Spanish newspaper El Pais confirmed with Colombian authorities the Sussexes covered their own travel expenses.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex financed their trip and that of their team with their own resources,” a Colombian government spokesperson said.

The spokesperson did not comment on whether the financing including reimbursing Colombia’s armed forces, but the newspaper clarified that some costs came from “international agencies”.

The Sussexes were invited to Bogota by Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez

On the contrary, the Sussexes have revealed they made significant donations to the South American nation through their Archewell Foundation during the visit, including financing for a learning environment, a gym and drum sets.

“The Archewell Foundation is excited to announce three significant contributions in the region,” the Sussexes announced in a statement last week.

“We will be providing new drumming sets to Escuela Tambores de Cabildo, supporting a secure environment for local children to explore, learn, and connect in San Basilio de Palenque, and expanding the socio-emotional Gym program at Colegio La Giralda.”

The funding comes from Archewell’s $20 million war chest, money primarily raised by one large mystery donor in 2021 suspected to be Hollywood filmmaker Tyler Perry.

Tyler Perry may have been the mystery donor who helped prop up Archewell last year. 

Mr Perry, who is worth about $1.4 billion, previously provided free housing for the Sussexes after they left the royal family and is a god parent to Princess Lilibet.

Tax filings for Archewell filed in 2023 show the charity has a paid staff of five people, with the non-profit’s Executive Director James Holt earning about £180,835 ($340,000 AUD), included a £15,904 ($30,000 AUD) bonus.

It is unclear how much of Archewell’s funding actually derives from the Sussexes’ personal fortune of about $100 million USD earned from their Netflix deal and Harry’s tell-all book.