Harry and Meghan to tour Colombia after saying Britain ‘too dangerous’

However, the risk to tourists is said to be low, various travel agencies claim, especially in major cities like the capital of Bogotá, which the royals will visit.

But the UK government has taken a different stance and advised against all but essential travel to the country, citing the high prevelance of kidnapping.

News of the trip comes after Harry recently said he will not bring Meghan to the UK because he fears an acid or knife attack inspired by negative tabloid stories.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s upcoming trip to Colombia comes ahead of the country’s inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children.

They discussed the subject with CBS Sunday Morning in an interview set to air this weekend.

Meghan admitted: “Our kids are young, they are three and five, they’re amazing, but all you want to do as parents is protect them.

“And so as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good.”

Harry said: “At this point we’ve got to the stage where almost every parent needs to be a first responder, and even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to tell the signs of possible suicide.

“That is the terrifying piece of this.”

The couple are taking part in a new initiative to support the parents of children affected by the problem.

Vice president Francia Marquez will travel with the couple on the trip that is expected to last around four days.

Ms Marquez said in a statement: “During their trip, the duke and duchess will join me in visiting Bogota, as well as the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Cartagena and Cali.

“In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress.

“In addition to these meaningful interactions, the duke and duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.”

While this is not a royal tour, it will have many hallmarks of one and Vice President Francia Marquez said the four-day visit will “illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be undertaking their visit as private citizens after stepping down as working royals in 2020 citing press intrusion and a desire to live a more independent life.

During the visit to Columbia, they will reportedly meet with young people and youth leaders.

They are expected to visit the capital of Bogotá and the regions of Cartagena and Cali.

This comes after the couple’s recent unofficial tour of Nigeria earlier this year, which celebrated the 10th anniversary of Harry’s Invictus Games.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, said at a High Court hearing: “The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home, as much as where they live at the moment in the United States.

“That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil. I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too.”

Harry was stripped of the protection after stepping down as a working royal in 2020.

Graham Brown, the event’s chairman, said: “It’s disappointing that the King has prior engagements but the people are here to see the show.”

This comes amid King Charles’s vision for a dramatically slimmed-down monarchy in light of the UK’s current economic challenges.

Now, one royal expert has weighed in on why Louis, six, is kept out of the spotlight – and it is not his mischievous behaviour.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Express: “Obviously Prince George is chosen for certain events because of his age and status.

“Clearly Charlotte is also. Louis is the youngest and William and Catherine take care to keep a balance between the privacy which is essential and the obvious desire to see all their children.”

He added: “Also the younger the children are, the more likely they are to make a face and steal the show! The press love this, but it is a diversion from the main event.”

A fundraiser for the “rejected and abandoned” Thomas Markle has now raised over £47,000 to mark the 80th birthday of the Duchess of Sussex’s father.

The pair fell out around her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry over a staged paparazzi photoshoot.

Ahead of the milestone birthday, Mr Markle said that his one “wish” was for his daughter to reconnect with him and give him the opportunity to meet his grandchildren. It appears to have gone unanswered.

Organised by British socialite Lady Colin Campbell, she wrote that the GoFundMe was set up to remind Mr Markle “there are still people in the world with good hearts, good values, and good intentions.”

The Duke of Sussex, 39, is reported to have reached out to his aunt, cousins and the Earl Spencer, Us Weekly reports.

The Earl Spencer led tributes to Lord Fellowes, 82, when his death was announced on Wednesday, writing on Twitter/X: “My absolutely exceptional brother-in-law, Robert, is no longer with us.

“A total gentleman – in all the best meanings of that word – he was a man of humour, wisdom & utter integrity. I’m deeply proud to have been his brother-in-law.”