Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's upcoming tour of Colombia has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with insiders suggesting the trip is a calculated move to send a pointed message to the British royal family. The tour, dubbed by some as a "faux royal tour," marks the Sussexes' second major international visit since stepping down as senior royals and follows their three-day trip to Nigeria in May.
The couple's decision to embark on this South American journey, despite Meghan's previous reluctance to visit the UK due to security concerns, has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about their motivations.
According to sources close to the couple, Meghan sees the Colombian tour as an opportunity to showcase her star power and underscore what she perceives as the royal family's loss since her and Harry's departure.
"Meghan sees this Colombia tour as her chance to prove to the world what a big star she is and how much the Royal Family misses her," an insider told OK! magazine. "She knows how much she can turn it on, and doing events like this was the one thing about royal life that appealed to her. She was furious when that was taken away because she knows she's such an asset."
The source further revealed that Meghan believes she and Harry "really shine when meeting dignitaries and locals," and that the tour will bolster their brand as the "alternative Royal Family." The couple's desire to continue representing the royal family on official tours was reportedly denied when they stepped down, a decision that still stings for Meghan.
"When they left, they asked that they could still represent the family on tours but were told no, so she feels it's the ultimate revenge as they were both so upset when they were rejected," the source added.
While the specific details of the tour have yet to be finalized, it is known that the couple will visit Colombia's capital, Bogotá, as well as its coastal regions. The itinerary is expected to include meetings with young people and youth leaders, aligning with the couple's ongoing advocacy work. However, the decision to tour a country with a high crime rate has drawn criticism, particularly given Meghan's previous security concerns about traveling to the UK.
The timing of the tour is also notable, coming on the heels of the resignation of Prince Harry's new chief of staff, Josh Kettler, after just three months in the role. Kettler, a seasoned public relations professional, was brought on board to help guide Harry through his next phase, but the departure is reportedly mutual, with both sides agreeing it wasn't the right fit. Kettler's exit marks the ninth staff departure since the Sussexes relocated to California, fueling further speculation about the challenges of working within the couple's team.
A former staffer who worked for the Sussexes in California commented on the high turnover, telling the Daily Mail, "What may be most telling is that the entire time I worked there, I don't think I heard a single current or former employee on their staff say they would take the job again if given the chance. These aren't employees they had just found off the streets. Many of them are people who had previously excelled working for demanding bosses in high-performance companies and environments."
The Colombian tour is likely to draw significant media attention, not only for its implications for the Sussexes' ongoing public relations strategy but also for what it reveals about their evolving relationship with the British royal family. Meghan and Harry's decision to undertake such a high-profile tour, despite the potential risks and controversies, underscores their determination to carve out a distinct and influential role on the global stage.
