Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s latest stop on their quasi-royal tour of Colombia has once again given the world a peek into their curious dynamics, all while showcasing some questionable fashion choices. As the couple took the stage at the Festival Petronio Alvarez, all eyes were on Meghan—though perhaps not for the reasons she would have hoped.

Dressed in a green printed strapless maxi dress, Meghan was clearly in “look at me” mode, even as Prince Harry, in his standard navy pants and blue button-down, was presented with a gift on stage. But, as usual, Meghan couldn’t resist making it all about her. The dress, a fashion disaster in itself, featured mismatched straps that screamed “cheap” and “mass-produced.” It’s astonishing that she hasn’t yet realized that, when you’re supposedly a fashion icon, the last thing you want is to look like you picked up your outfit from a discount rack. Yet, there she was, standing before the cheering crowd, attempting to connect with the locals by speaking Spanish—a valiant, if awkward, effort.

But the real spectacle wasn’t Meghan’s broken Spanish or her bold, yet poorly executed, fashion statement. It was the moment she double-clawed Harry right there on stage as he graciously accepted a musical instrument from the event organizers. It was as if she just couldn’t stand the idea of Harry getting even a shred of attention without her being firmly planted in the spotlight.

This wasn’t the first time Meghan has been caught on camera with a death grip on Harry. Her clingy, controlling behavior was on full display, with her hand tightly wrapped around his arm like a security blanket. It’s as though she believes that by physically holding on to him, she’s preventing him from saying something that might embarrass her. Unfortunately, the result is far from the loving, supportive image she’s trying to project. Instead, it looks more like a child desperately clinging to a parent, terrified of being left alone.

And let’s not overlook the body language. While Meghan clung to Harry with that infamous double claw, those around them seemed less than amused. The smiles were forced, and the enthusiasm was faint, if not entirely absent. One can only imagine the thoughts running through the minds of the Colombian dignitaries and locals who witnessed this spectacle. Alejandro Eder, the Colombian politician who shared the stage with them, along with his actress wife Taliana Vargas, may have been all smiles for the cameras, but you can bet there were some raised eyebrows once the cameras stopped rolling.

As for Meghan’s decision to go full-on clingy in public, it only highlights her insecurity and desperation to maintain control of the narrative. The clinging, the awkward arm-holding—it’s all starting to look less like affection and more like a very public cry for help. Behind closed doors, who knows what’s really going on? Harry, reportedly checked out and disinterested, likely finds solace in zoning out in front of the TV, while Meghan stews over her failed attempts to achieve the status and power she so desperately craves.

And that’s the real tragedy of the Sussexes’ Colombian adventure. It’s not the lackluster crowds or the absence of genuine enthusiasm for their visit; it’s the clear and present tension between Harry and Meghan that makes this entire spectacle uncomfortable to watch. The clingy behavior, the fashion missteps, the desperate attempts to command the spotlight—all of it adds up to a tour that’s less about diplomacy and more about damage control.