Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the royal family back in 2020, so they have not taken any official royal tours since they performed duties on behalf of the family. However, 2024 seems to be the year of travel for Harry and Meghan; the couple made it to Nigeria back in May, where their trip had all the makings of a royal tour — and they just returned from a high-profile Colombia trip that had the same feel.
While Colombia seemed elated to welcome Harry and Meghan, the couple’s one request cost the government nearly $2 million.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Vizzor Image/Getty Images
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s security cost $1.95 million
Harry and Meghan’s Colombia tour stemmed from an invitation given to the couple by the country’s vice president, Francia Márquez. Harry and Meghan have continued their philanthropic work ever since leaving the United Kingdom more than four years ago, and Colombia wanted to have the couple to its country in order to speak about their work, offer insight, etc. around a number of issues they’ve been involved with.
Of course, most celebrities require security. And having never been to Colombia on an official visit, it comes as no surprise that Harry and Meghan wanted to make sure all the correct security measures were in place. However, that cost the government a pretty penny; according to Express, Colombia spent $1.95 million on security for the Sussexes from start to finish of their trip. Express also reports that a now-removed Colombian media article said Harry and Meghan needed around 3,000 police officers and soldiers for total protection, as well as a number of security elements like helicopters and protective dogs. The couple spent about four days overseas.
Security has been a point of contention between Prince Harry and his family
Harry and Meghan have not returned to the UK as a couple in quite some time. The two don’t have the same level of security there as the other royals because they no longer hold their working royal titles, and Harry doesn’t think it’s safe for them to travel to his home country with his wife and kids.
Harry and his father, King Charles, have been at a stalemate over security for quite some time. Charles has not intervened in the British Home Office’s decision to pull Harry’s taxpayer security, which has only added to tensions between the father and son.
Tensions have been high between Harry and the rest of the royals for years, and the security issues haven’t helped. Harry and Meghan likely won’t return to the UK any time soon, however it seems that they are starting to do their own version of royal tours, having traveled to a couple of places this year on their own time.
