The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel to Colombia in August
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been urged to be wary of being used to push someone else’s agenda during their upcoming international engagements.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to undertake a four-day tour of Colombia this month after accepting an invitation from the nation’s vice president.
The visit will not be considered a royal tour, as the Sussexes stepped back from their roles within the monarchy in 2020.
The Foreign Office feels that Harry and Meghan’s visit will be “utterly irrelevant” to Britain’s interests abroad, according to a source.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been warned of making blunders during their upcoming international engagements.
Another source warned that the couple face the risk of getting into “Prince Andrew territory” where royals find themselves surrounded by those with their own agendas.
The couple accepted the invitation of the vice president of Colombian Francia Márquez to tour several cities across the nation.
The vice president said when announcing the couple’s upcoming visit to Colombia: “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 Bogotá, as well as the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Cartagena and Cali.
The couple accepted the invitation of the vice president of Colombian Francia Márquez to tour several cities across the nation.
“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.
“Their visit comes at a particularly significant time, as it precedes the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, to be held in Colombia this November. 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.”
Security concerns have been raised regarding the overseas tour but an insider told the Mail the couple will have a lot of security with them as they will be with the vice president.
Last year, the vice president of Colombia said her protection officers thwarted an attempt to kill her.
The source said: “They will be with the vice president and she has a lot of security because there have been assassination attempts on her life.
“But people are grumbling about why the Colombian taxpayer should pick up what will be huge security costs for what is essentially a public relations exercise for the Sussexes and for a government which desperately needs to deflect away from its failures.”
Last year, the vice president of Colombia said her protection officers thwarted an attempt to kill her.
She said they found an explosive near her family home in south-west Colombia.
