Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are Overspending, a Diplomatic Move

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On their second international tour of the year, Harry and Meghan set out to repeat the triumph of their trip to Nigeria a few months earlier when they traveled to Colombia. By all accounts, their tour to South America was praised highly, with Team Sussex calling it ‘a great triumph'—a view echoed by several newspapers.

Colombia tour cost breakdown

According to official figures from the vice president who extended the invitation, South American countries paid roughly £6,500 per day and £45,000 in total for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Colombia. The revelation has triggered a massive backlash against the Sussexes over a costly trip to the nation, which is currently dealing with financial issues and a health crisis.

When the tour was announced, Márquez stated that the Sussexes would have an "exceptional opportunity to engage with elders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians."

The number was made public following Senator Maria Fernanda Cabal's request that Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez reveal it. Inspired by Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary, Marquez extended an invitation to them.

Cabal called the quasi-royal tour "showmanship" and "wasteful spending" in response to the revelation, according to Semana.

She went on to criticize Vice President Marquez for squandering Colombians' money. She said, "Francia Márquez brought Harry and Meghan to Colombia at a daily cost of no less than 34,892,186 pesos (6,426 GBP), money that belongs to Colombians after she saw the story on Netflix."

However, the vice president’s office disclosed that the Duke and Duchess covered their general expenses during their visit from August 15 to August 18, including the cost of their flights and lodging in Bogota.

As per the Colombian government, the Sussexes' visit has further enhanced the country's image as a nation that unites global causes, accommodates a wide range of interests, and is a desirable spot for investment, tourism, and commerce. During this visit, the world and international media paid attention to Colombia, conveying the message that the country is undergoing positive change.

Throughout their trip, which encompassed the major cities of Bogotá, Cartagena, and Cali, the couple participated in an internet safety summit and met activists to discuss the effects of social media on youth.

In addition to attending an Afro-Colombian festival, the two became acquainted with the nation's Invictus Games squad. Even though the price of the visit might seem exorbitant, it is vital to remember that tours and engagements that require increased security are always costly.

For instance, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, King Charles traveled 500 miles on the royal train in June 2023, spending more than £50,000. The journey took place from Windsor to Yorkshire.