MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have just concluded their second “faux-royal tour” after visiting Nigeria in May and Colombia last weekend.

While the recent tour was described as “high-risk”, a royal expert has claimed why the couple are signing up for “rogue royal tours” at this “pivotal time.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have just undertaken a four-day ‘faux-royal’ tour to ColombiaCredit: Getty

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Back in May, they also did a tour to NigeriaCredit: Getty
Emily Andrews claimed in Grazia that the tour was “somewhat risky” as they didn’t have the protection or diplomatic expertise of the Foreign Office during the Colombia visit.

She pointed out that the “rogue royal” couple have also just lost Prince Harry’s chief-of-staff, Josh Kettler.

The staff member stepped down after three months in the role in what Team Sussex insisted was a “mutual decision.”

However, the royal expert theorised why the couple are setting out on international tours, despite any challenges.

SELF PROMOTION

Emily questioned why the couple are doing royal tours and pointed out they aren’t there on behalf of the UK government, or in the role of working royal family members, or even representing a charity – aside from their own non-profit Archewell Foundation.

She claimed: “Perhaps, then, these tours offer Harry and Meghan another initiative to highlight: themselves.

“With Harry celebrating his 40th birthday next month and ongoing courtroom battles in the UK, it does feel like a pivotal time for the Sussexes in their attempts to ‘look forwards.’”

The royal expert claimed that the couple’s reputation has “taken a hit” in the US, and they have a number of upcoming projects to promote.

These include Meghan’s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which is yet to launch.

According to Emily, it was supposed to go live in spring, then was postponed until autumn and has reportedly been “put back until next year to tie in with her new cooking show for Netflit and to iron out trademark issues.”

Royal expert Victoria Murphy said on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show that a number of countries are bound to have asked Meghan and Harry on tours too to add a “little bit of royal stardust”.

Victoria claimed: “I feel they must have been invited to other places and they must have chosen to say yes to this one.”

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The tour comes ahead of Meghan launching her lifestyle brand, American Riviera OrchardCredit: instagram/@AmericanRivieraOrchard

So far Meghan has sent branded jams to influencers and friends, but is yet to start selling to the public

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Meghan teased the launch of her business back in March, but some experts said it has been pushed back until next yearCredit: American Riviera Orchard
 

What has Meghan Markle teased from American Riviera Orchard so far?

MEGHAN Markle launched her brand’s new Instagram page in March 2024, but no products are available to buy as of yet.

Industry insiders said the site will focus on home, food, garden and lifestyle goods.

Meghan kicked off promoting American Riviera Orchard by sending 50 branded jams to friends and influencers.

Those who received a package included Chrissy Teigen, Heather Dorak, Tracy Robbins and Kris Jenner.

She later unveiled two new products from her American Riviera Orchard brand just hours before Trooping the Colour.

Polo player and close friend of Prince Harry,  Nacho Figueras was treated to a jar of raspberry jam from the collection as well as a jar of luxury dog biscuits for his pooch.

CHARITY TIES

While their previous tour of Nigeria in May was said to be an opportunity to promote the Invictus Games, Victoria said choosing Colombia was more “vague”.

However, it did give them a chance to champion some topics that are key in their charitable foundation Archewell.

Harry and Meghan’s latest trip highlighted the military community and female empowerment, themes said to be close to their hearts.

The Archewell Foundation is currently working towards fostering a safer online environment with The Parents’ Network, pushing tech giants to take responsibility for children’s safety.

Their visit precedes another conference in Colombia in November which will tackle issues such as cyber-bullying, online exploitation, and the mental health impacts of these threats.

It will offer actionable solutions and commitments for countries around the world.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Cali, Colombia during their tourCredit: Getty
 

What is Meghan and Harry’s Archewell Foundation charity?

AFTER stepping back as senior royals, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry launched their own non-profit foundation, Archewell.

The non-profit aims to offer “classes, lectures, seminars, conferences, workshops, and retreats on a variety of topics,” run a mentoring scheme, or conduct and host “events and exhibitions for cultural, sporting, health, mental health and entertainment purposes.”

The website launched on New Years Eve 2020 and couple included sweet black-and-white photos of them with their mothers as they called for “compassion” in an open letter.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed Arche, the Greek word meaning source of action, was also the inspiration behind the name of their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

“We connected to this concept for the charitable organisation we hoped to build one day, and it became the inspiration for our son’s name,” they told The Daily Telegraph. “To do something of meaning, to do something that matters.

“Archewell is a name that combines an ancient word for strength and action, and another that evokes the deep resources we each must draw upon.”

SECOND TOUR THIS YEAR

It was Harry and Meghan’s second “faux royal tour” after visiting Nigeria in May.

The couple spent three days in the West African country, meeting with locals and leaders.

While there, they unveiled a partnership between their Archewell Foundation and the non-profit Giants of Africa, which aims to empower young people through sport.

The couple soon jetted back to the United States after they watched a charity exhibition match at Lagos Polo Club.

Prior to that, Harry, 39, had enjoyed a game of basketball with a group of Nigerian youngsters.

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Harry and Meghan during a meeting with young students highlighting the importance of socio-emotional wellbeing in educationCredit: The Mega Agency