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As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepare for their tour of Colombia later this month, the trip has not been met with enthusiasm by some within royal circles. The Sussexes' choice of Colombia as their destination following a visit to Nigeria last year has drawn criticism from former courtiers and royal commentators who question whether the tour aligns with traditional royal protocols.
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Speaking to the Daily Beast, one ex-courtier expressed concerns about Harry and Meghan appearing to disregard long-established traditions and ways of conducting royal business. "I'm afraid it shows the utter contempt they have for the Queen and for the very long established ways of doing things," the former courtier stated. They went on to say that royal tours have always been about diplomacy, building bridges and reinforcing international relationships on behalf of Britain. However, this trip to Colombia "is clearly not being carried out on behalf of Britain" despite Harry and Meghan still portraying themselves as British royals.
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This criticism highlights the underlying frustration within the royal family about the approach Harry and Meghan have taken with their public engagements since stepping back as senior working royals. The former courtier added that the Colombia tour shows "exactly why the royals want these two kept as far away as possible."
Adding to the controversy, Prince Harry recently faced a significant setback related to the trip. According to a YouTube channel covering royal news, a prestigious five-star hotel in Colombia abruptly canceled Harry's room booking. Sources close to the hotel claimed the cancellation was due to a change in circumstances making it impossible to honor the reservation. However, rumors suggest the decision may have been influenced by the growing backlash against Harry and Meghan's visit within Colombia. Local sentiment reportedly expressed displeasure with Harry traveling to the country, which could have factored into the hotel's cancellation to avoid potential reputational damage.
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The hotel cancellation comes at a time of rising criticism against the Sussexes, who have been accused of having a sense of entitlement and relentlessly pursuing media attention since renouncing their senior royal roles. While Harry and Meghan have been working to redefine their public duties on their own terms, their choice to visit Colombia - one of the most dangerous countries in the world for violence - has raised eyebrows. This is especially so given Harry's recent frustrations expressed over security arrangements in the UK.
Harry has alleged that King Charles could intervene in his ongoing legal battle to request police protection during visits from the UK. However, royal sources emphasize that it would be wholly inappropriate for the monarch to directly influence government security decisions. A source close to Harry contends that if the king wished, he could make arrangements for his son.
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Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams noted that in recent weeks Harry and Meghan have "shown they're not afraid to bring up material that could embarrass the [royal] institution." He remarked they feel they are "doing the wrong thing in a way they feel they're best able to do it." However, Fitzwilliams pointed out this strategy will likely only serve to draw attention back to ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the wider royal family, rather than achieving their stated goals of the tours.
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The rift between Harry, Meghan and the rest of the Firm remains an ongoing issue impacting public perception of all parties involved. While the Sussexes' tours aim to support causes close to their hearts, their apparent disregard for long-held traditions and protocols continue to stoke controversy. The cancellation in Colombia and backlash against their visit also highlight questions about security and whether global trips align with their stated wishing for privacy. As royal tours are often carefully considered exercises in soft diplomacy, Harry and Meghan's Colombia trip risks overshadowing their intended messages if tensions with the royal family remain unresolved. Only time will tell if this tour helps strengthen international ties or further damages relationships closer to home
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