Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Face Backlash Over Expensive Colombia Trip Amid Financial Crises
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent trip to Colombia has sparked significant controversy, with many criticizing the high costs associated with their visit to a country grappling with financial challenges and a health crisis. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who visited Colombia in mid-August 2024, reportedly spent around £6,500 per day during their stay, amounting to a total of approximately £45,000.
The couple’s visit was met with sharp criticism from various quarters, including Colombian Senator María Fernanda Cabal, who openly condemned what she termed as “Royal wasteful spending.” Cabal voiced her disapproval on social media, calling out both the Sussexes and Colombia’s Vice President Francia Márquez, who had extended the invitation to the couple after watching their popular Netflix docuseries.
“After Francia Márquez saw the story of Harry and Meghan on Netflix, she brought them to Colombia for seven days at a daily cost of no less than 34,892,186 pesos (£6,426), money that belongs to Colombians,” Senator Cabal remarked, highlighting the disparity between the lavish expenses of the trip and the pressing needs of the Colombian people.
The criticism comes at a time when Colombia is facing significant economic difficulties and a public health crisis, making the perceived extravagance of the Sussexes’ visit all the more contentious. Local media reports suggested that the security costs for the couple’s trip reached an estimated £1.5 million, a figure that further fueled public outrage. A now-deleted report by CW Noticias claimed that approximately 3,000 personnel were deployed to ensure the couple’s safety during their stay.
Right-wing councillor for the city of Cali, Andrés Escobar, echoed the public sentiment by retweeting the now-deleted security cost claims and questioning the use of government resources for the visit. He argued that the funds could have been better utilized for public welfare initiatives, such as expanding children’s soup kitchens, paying salaries for community workers, or improving sports facilities that are in disrepair.
“We continue with an ancient practice: handing over our resources in exchange for smoke and mirrors,” Escobar tweeted, expressing his frustration with the government’s decision to prioritize the Sussexes’ visit over pressing domestic issues.
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The backlash underscores the growing discontent among Colombians regarding the allocation of public funds, especially when the country is struggling with economic instability and urgent social needs. The criticism also reflects broader concerns about the priorities of the Colombian government and its approach to handling high-profile international visits.
Despite the controversy, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Colombia was intended to promote their new project aimed at combating online bullying. The four-day trip, which began on August 15, 2024, was part of the couple’s broader efforts to raise awareness about the harmful effects of cyberbullying and to support initiatives that promote mental health and well-being.
However, the positive intentions behind their visit were overshadowed by the mounting criticism of its cost. The incident has sparked a wider debate about the role of high-profile figures in addressing social issues in developing countries and the responsibilities of host governments in managing the associated expenses.
As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to navigate their roles as global advocates for social causes, this latest controversy serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between raising awareness and being mindful of the local context in which they operate.
