Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been warned about the intense "furious criticism" they may encounter if they decide to take their kids on a trip to Colombia .
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel to the South American country this summer for a four-day visit, with an itinerary that includes stops in Bogota and the regions of Cartagena and Cali. The question of whether the pair will be accompanied by five-year-old Prince Archie and three-year-old Princess Lilibet remains unanswered.
Nonetheless, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams has warned that taking the children could draw unwelcome scrutiny . He said: "I think the security angle of Colombia, the fact it has a reputation as being dangerous, certainly in certain areas, makes it impossible for them to bring Archie and Lili without bringing furious criticism, including from many in the US, on their heads."
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Fitzwilliams noted Harry's expressed safety concerns during UK visits, especially concerning his family, and suggested that taking Archie and Lilibet to a country seen as hazardous could trigger a "disastrous" reaction from the public.
Speaking to The Express , Fitzwilliams added: "If London is 'too dangerous', what about Nigeria or Colombia, even if the government arranges security. If it's about perceptions and those visits, whether royal or quasi-royal are, taking their children there would be disastrous."
Meghan and Harry have been invited by the country's vice president Francia Marquez, and they're expected to have a busy schedule from meeting leaders to discussing concerns with cyberbullying. They will "have the exceptional opportunity to engage with elders, youth and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians," Marquez said.
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After the couple accepted her invitation, VP Marquez expressed: "I am pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country." Colombia will soon host the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children.
The conference aims to reveal a "framework for creating safer physical and digital spaces, tackling issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and the mental health impacts of these threats", and the host nation will hope to gain insights from the Duke and Duchess on this subject.
Harry and Meghan are also anticipated to participate in discussions about online safety during their visit. Speaking on this, the vice president stated: "During their visit, the Duke and Duchess, as well as the Archewell Foundation, will engage in several activities related to this important topic. The Archewell Foundation, founded by the Duke and Duchess, is renowned for its global leadership in fostering a safer online environment."
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