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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will visit Colombia for four days following the success of their unofficial tour of Nigeria – after declaring the UK too dangerous to visit.
Harry, 39, said he will not bring Meghan back to his home country without state-funded personal security because he fears a “knife or acid attack”.
The couple were invited to Colombia by Vice President Francia Marquez, but the exact details of the trip, which will be undertaken in their capacity as private citizens, is not known.
While the trip is not a royal tour, it will serve a similar purpose, and Ms Marquez said the visit will “illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation”.
Colombia, which has more than halved its murder rate since its 90s peak, continues to struggle with crime, kidnapping and civil unrest.
This comes after a friend of the duke claimed Harry’s calls to King Charles are “going answered”, People magazine reports.
Harry, 39, has not seen the monarch since the announcement of his cancer diagnosis in February.
Princess Anne cheers on athletes competing in Paris Olympics
The Princess Royal, 73, had to take a temporary step back from her duties after being kicked by a horse – an incident that left her with a concussion and minor injuries.
The royal family’s official Twitter/X account wrote: “Wonderful to pop into the Olympic Village to cheer on athletes competing at the @Paris2024 Olympic Games!
“As President of the British Olympic Association, The Princess Royal has been attending events at the Games this week.”
Anne herself is a former Olympian and competed in the equestrian category at the 1976 games in Montreal.
Wonderful to pop into the Olympic Villiage to cheer on athletes competing at the @Paris2024 Olympic Games!
🥇🥈🥉 As President of the British Olympic Association, The Princess Royal has been attending events at the Games this week. pic.twitter.com/O0QwDmCfLf
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 31, 2024
Emma Guinness2 August 2024 14:45
Harry and Meghan to highlight online safety issues on Colombia trip
It comes ahead of the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in November, although the exact dates of the trip are not yet known.
They are set to spend four days in the country undertaking engagements which tie into the conference’s aim of creating 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.”
The visit will be carried out in the couple’s capacity as private citizens, although it will reportedly have many hallmarks of a royal tour.
Emma Guinness2 August 2024 14:00
How dangerous is Colombia?
However, the risk to tourists is said to be low, various travel agencies claim, especially in major cities like the capital of Bogotá, which the royals will visit.
But the UK government has taken a different stance and advised against all but essential travel to the country, citing the high prevelance of kidnapping.
News of the trip comes after Harry recently said he will not bring Meghan to the UK because he fears an acid or knife attack inspired by negative tabloid stories.
Emma Guinness2 August 2024 13:00
Harry and Meghan’s Colombian trip to precede major conference
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s upcoming trip to Colombia comes ahead of the country’s inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children.
They discussed the subject with CBS Sunday Morning in an interview set to air this weekend.
Meghan admitted: “Our kids are young, they are three and five, they’re amazing, but all you want to do as parents is protect them.
“And so as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good.”
Emma Guinness2 August 2024 12:00
Prince Harry describes the internet as ‘terrifying’ in new interview
Harry said: “At this point we’ve got to the stage where almost every parent needs to be a first responder, and even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to tell the signs of possible suicide.
“That is the terrifying piece of this.”
The couple are taking part in a new initiative to support the parents of children affected by the problem.
Emma Guinness2 August 2024 11:00
Colombian Vice President celebrates upcoming Harry and Meghan tour
Vice president Francia Marquez will travel with the couple on the trip that is expected to last around four days.
Ms Marquez said in a statement: “During their trip, the duke and duchess will join me in visiting Bogota, as well as the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Cartagena and Cali.
“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.
“In addition to these meaningful interactions, the duke and duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.”
Emma Guinness2 August 2024 10:38
Harry and Meghan to visit Colombia on latest unofficial tour
While this is not a royal tour, it will have many hallmarks of one and Vice President Francia Marquez said the four-day visit will “illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation”.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be undertaking their visit as private citizens after stepping down as working royals in 2020 citing press intrusion and a desire to live a more independent life.
During the visit to Columbia, they will reportedly meet with young people and youth leaders.
They are expected to visit the capital of Bogotá and the regions of Cartagena and Cali.
This comes after the couple’s recent unofficial tour of Nigeria earlier this year, which celebrated the 10th anniversary of Harry’s Invictus Games.
Emma Guinness2 August 2024 09:15
Prince Harry wants children to feel ‘at home’ in UK
The Duke of Sussex, 39, said at a High Court hearing: “The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home, as much as where they live at the moment in the United States.
“That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil. I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too.”
Harry was stripped of the protection after stepping down as a working royal in 2020.
Emma Guinness2 August 2024 08:00
No royals at Sandringham Flower Show for first time in 30 years
Graham Brown, the event’s chairman, said: “It’s disappointing that the King has prior engagements but the people are here to see the show.”
This comes amid King Charles’s vision for a dramatically slimmed-down monarchy in light of the UK’s current economic challenges.
Emma Guinness2 August 2024 06:00
Why Prince Louis is kept away from the spotlight
Now, one royal expert has weighed in on why Louis, six, is kept out of the spotlight – and it is not his mischievous behaviour.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Express: “Obviously Prince George is chosen for certain events because of his age and status.
“Clearly Charlotte is also. Louis is the youngest and William and Catherine take care to keep a balance between the privacy which is essential and the obvious desire to see all their children.”
He added: “Also the younger the children are, the more likely they are to make a face and steal the show! The press love this, but it is a diversion from the main event.”
Emma Guinness2 August 2024 04:00