During their recent visit to Colombia, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced intense scrutiny over the high-level security measures taken to protect them.
The couple, who are no strangers to public attention, found themselves at the center of a media storm when they were seen being shielded by a "ballistic briefcase" during an appearance at La Giralda school in Bogota. This state-of-the-art device, typically used to protect high-ranking officials, raised eyebrows and sparked a wave of criticism online.
The Sussexes, visiting one of the city's most dangerous neighborhoods, were escorted by a significant security detail, including a guard carrying the bulletproof briefcase. This briefcase, which can be rapidly deployed to provide a shield against gunfire and fragmentation threats, is similar to the equipment used to protect Colombia's Vice President, Francia Marquez, who hosted the royal couple during their visit.
Social media quickly lit up with reactions, many questioning the necessity of such elaborate measures. Critics accused the couple of overestimating their importance, with one user on X, formerly known as Twitter, quipping, "This pair have 007 gadgets protecting them, but no one knows who the hell they are." Others expressed concern for the children at the school, suggesting that if such extreme precautions were necessary, the visit might have put the students at risk.
Despite the criticism, the security concerns were not without merit. Colombia has experienced a surge in violence, and Vice President Marquez has been the target of multiple assassination attempts. Last year, her security team uncovered 7kg of explosives on a road leading to her home, and more recently, her father and nephew narrowly escaped an attack when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle.
The school the Sussexes visited is located in Santa Fe, a district notorious for its high crime rate, including drug trafficking, prostitution, and violence. The area has been featured in the Apple TV series No Go Zones - The World's Toughest Places, which described it as being controlled by gangsters and rife with danger. The Sussexes' visit required extensive security arrangements, including a motorcade of 14 vehicles, heavily armed officers, and soldiers securing the perimeter.
Despite the controversy, the visit was well-received by those at the school. Diana Basto, the CEO of La Giralda, expressed her gratitude, stating, "It was so special for us to have Harry and Meghan come and visit. The staff and children were all very excited. It was a lovely experience." The couple participated in various activities, including visiting classrooms and planting trees with the students, showing a different side of their public personas.
However, the debate over their security continues to overshadow the positive aspects of their visit. The extensive measures taken, including the use of high-tech security devices, have raised questions about the balance between necessary precautions and the perception of self-importance. As one critic put it, "Literally no one would bother going to jail for these two. They're not as important as they think they are! It's all for show."
The visit to Colombia comes at a time when Prince Harry has voiced concerns about his security arrangements, particularly when visiting the UK. His ongoing legal battle with the Home Office over the level of personal protection afforded to him and his family has highlighted his fears for their safety. Harry has argued that without adequate protection, it is impossible for his children to "feel at home" in the UK.
