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Privacy NoticeJust four years ago, Harry and Meghan announced they were leaving the UK and their royal titles behind for a new life in America. The couple revealed they wanted ‘privacy’ and ‘space’ to raise their son Archie and since their departure have been at the centre of a highly publicised rift with the Royal Family. In a shock move, however, the couple recently made a return to the limelight to announce plans for a tour of the South American nation of Colombia later this year – and it has certainly raised a few eyebrows with royal courtiers. This will be the couple’s second tour as non-working royals, following their successful three-day Nigeria trip back in May, inspired by Meghan’s discovery of her own Nigerian heritage.
Harry and Meghan left the UK for life in America in 2020
(Image: PA)
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However, following their exit from the Royal family, it’s said there is concern that embarking on these types of trips do not serve Britain’s interests and will undermine the work of the actual Royal Family. Many also worry it could deepen their ongoing rift with the Firm. While full details of their tour are being kept under wraps – as they enjoy quality time with their children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, – it’s been confirmed Harry and Meghan would visit the country’s capital, Bogota, and coastal regions, after receiving an official invite from the country’s vice president and minister for equality and equity, Francia Márquez. Meghan has said she hopes they will “experience the rich heritage” of the nation, and “further illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation.”
The couple have made plans to return to the limelight
(Image: PA)
The safety implications of the trip, meanwhile, are a worry. The country is notoriously rife with crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping, with the Foreign Office in the UK advising against travel to certain areas of Colombia and the US encouraging people to reconsider travel plans there. Although it is understood that Harry, 39, and Meghan, 43, will receive full security protection during their stay to prevent any incidents, it seems a bizarre choice, especially in light of Harry’s refusal to bring Meghan back to the UK amid security concerns. Despite the flurry of negative press following the announcement, a source has spoken of the Sussexes’ excitement for the overseas trip, and say that, for Meghan, it’s part of an ongoing plan to turn the tide of negative opinion towards her. It gives her a chance to shine on a very public platform, doing the kind of work that she loves. “Meghan sees this Columbia tour as her chance to prove to the world what a big star she is and how much the Royal Family misses her,” the source claimed.
A source claims this tour is a way for Meghan to show the world ‘what a big star she is’
(Image: PA)
“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. “She feels her and Harry together really shine when meeting dignitaries and locals, and it helps with the brand and their plan to be the alternative Royal Family. Meghan knows that nobody in the Royal Family can put on a show like her and Harry,” the source added. “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 thinks. With the past few months proving particularly challenging for the royals, having lost two of its most senior members, King Charles and the Princess of Wales, who took time off royal duties to undergo treatment for cancer, the Sussexes seem to have filled the vacuum, and this tour will give them another opportunity to make headlines. It could create even more excitement and publicity if the couple decide to bring their children along, too, which is a distinct possibility. “Meghan is debating whether to bring the children with her as she feels they’re old enough, especially Archie, to enjoy a trip like this and meet people from different cultures,” the source said. “She’s well aware that it would bring extra attention and that if the four of them are pictured on the tour, it again adds to their brand.” As part of their itinerary in Colombia, they will engage with “leaders, youth, and women” of Colombia, and will also take part in activities related to “cyberbullying, online exploitation and the mental health impacts of these threats,” which their organisation, The Archewell Foundation, is committed to. It’s a full-on itinerary for the couple, who have been busy with other commitments of late, too, particularly Meghan, who is about to launch her passion project, American Riviera Orchard – selling an array of home and lifestyle goods – as well as filming a Netflix series, which is believed to be accompanying the launch. Meghan and Harry also returned to TV for their first interview together in three years for American station CBS, where they launched their new venture, The Parents Network. The project is there to support parents of children who have had negative experiences of social media and Meghan opened up on her own mental health battles in the past.
The Sussexes recently did an interview on CBS – their first together in three years
“I think when you’ve been through any level of pain or trauma,” she told the interviewer Jane Pauley, “I believe part of our healing journey, certainly part of mine, is being able to be really open about it. “And I haven’t really scraped the surface on my experience but I do think that I would never want someone else to feel that way.” After such a difficult few years, since leaving the Royal Family, struggling to find new roles for themselves in the US and dealing with a tidal wave of negative press, it seems Meghan is determined to start a new chapter. And this tour could be a great way to end the year on a high. “At the moment, the Royal Family is lacking representatives and she knows they’ll all be watching on to see how they handle it and what reception they get. Meghan wants to be seen as so much more than a Hollywood celebrity – and feels doing tours elevates her,” the source thinks. Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnNetflixDocumentaryPrinceRoyal FamilyHarry and Meghan
