Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are using the Colombia tour to “boost their international profile,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams has claimed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have begun their tour of the South American country, for their second major overseas tour outside the Royal Family.
Speaking to GB News, Fitzwilliam revealed that he thought the pair were just “jumping on the bandwagon” whilst the King and Princess Kate are unable to tour due to their health.
He said: “As far as the tour is concerned, it’s an attempt by the Sussexes to boost their international profile. And from that point of view, it’s likely to be successful.
Meghan and Harry are currently touring Colombia
Getty
“One has, very sadly, to note that the King and Queen, and also the Prince and Princess of Wales for health issues are not able to undergo these tours.
“This is a positive royal tour, is one of the best ways that Britain projected its soft power. The Sussexes have jumped on the bandwagon.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The visit aims to help showcase the cultural heritage of the country, which is listed as a dangerous area by both the UK and the US.
But it will also draw a focus on the couple’s priorities, such as the impact of the digital world on young people, celebrating the military community and female empowerment.
Speaking about the couple’s campaign about the digital world, Fitzwilliams said: “It is undoubtedly part of a plan by the Sussexes.
“We saw them briefly in Jamaica in January, and then in May they went to Nigeria and spent several days there, and Meghan discovered she was 43 per cent Nigerian. Nigeria also joined the Invictus.
Richard Fitzwilliam said that they are “jumping on the bandwagon”
GB News
“Columbia, it happens, is the Latin American country that is involved with Invictus. But most specifically, this is about online abuse and bullying.
“The Sussexes have founded what they call the Parents Network, which will help parents who have been affected or harmed, or their children have been harmed or affected by, online abuse of some sort or another.
“There’s no doubt that overall it’s an applaudable aim. Some people are pointing out that there is a high level of crime in Colombia and the fact that Harry finds Britain too dangerous to visit.”
Harry and Meghan’s first day was spent in the capital Bogota and the pair visited a school to meet teenagers at a session on online safety and Prince Harry at a summit on digital responsibility.
Prince Harry spoke at a summit about the digital age
Getty
Seeming to hint at the UK riots in recent weeks, Harry told the crowd: “What happens online within a matter of minutes transfers to the streets. People are acting on information that isn’t true.”
He added: “It comes down to all of us to be able to spot the true from the fake. In an ideal world, those with positions of influence would take more responsibility.
“We are no longer debating facts. For as long as people are allowed to spread lies, abuse, harass, then social cohesion as we know it has completely broken down.”
GB News has approached the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment.
