Prince Harry’s masked frustration during Colombia tour
Harry craves admiration while hiding frustration on Colombia tour with Meghan
Prince Harry appeared joyful this week as he salsa danced and enjoyed the limelight during his quasi-royal tour of Colombia with his wife, Meghan Markle. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex concluded their eventful trip in Cali yesterday, with Meghan delivering a speech in Spanish on ‘Afro women and power’.
However, one of Harry’s close friends revealed that the Duke is masking anger and frustration, preferring to be in Britain with his friends and family. A friend disclosed to The Times that they occasionally receive WhatsApp messages from Harry, adding, “He’s an angry boy. Things haven’t turned out how he wanted. He desperately misses being in Britain and craves admiration, similar to what William and Kate receive.”
Additionally, a source who has known Harry since his teenage years mentioned that he likely misses his former life of pub visits and enjoying the English countryside with friends. The ongoing rift between Harry and the royal family persists. Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams remarked that Meghan’s speech in Cali on Sunday was “extremely selective,” given the public rift with the royal family.
Fitzwilliams highlighted the contradiction between claiming Britain is “too dangerous” to visit while travelling to Colombia, known for its high crime levels. He pointed out that Harry preferred staying in a hotel over Buckingham Palace during his last visit to Britain.
During their trip, Harry and Meghan recreated a memorable image from William and Kate’s Caribbean tour by practising drumming at a music school in Cartagena. This shared experience might have once prompted the brothers to exchange notes on percussion skills, but the gulf between them has widened over the past two years. Reports indicate that the Prince of Wales would not want Harry at his coronation. A close friend of the brothers stated, “They are estranged, which is dreadfully sad.”
At the ‘Afro women and power’ forum in Cali, Meghan referred to Colombia’s vice president, Francia Marquez, as “mi amiga (my friend).” She received applause for attempting to speak in Spanish, despite having learned it 20 years ago in Argentina.
Yesterday, Vice President Marquez showed the couple around Cali, Colombia’s salsa capital, whose cartel once controlled over 80% of the world’s cocaine market. They visited Escuela Tambores de Cabildo, a school in Cartagena dedicated to preserving traditional African drumming. The couple participated in drumming after being welcomed by a performance from pupils.
School founder Rafael Ramos noted Meghan’s excitement, saying, “I love seeing Meghan’s big, big smile.”
The couple learned about the importance of preserving the region’s Afro-Colombian culture, echoing William and Kate’s visit to Jamaica in March 2022, where they played bongos in Kingston. Unlike the Sussexes, William and Kate interacted with crowds in Jamaica.
The last part of the tour included a visit to the traditional Afro-Caribbean village, San Basilio de Palenque, where they enjoyed a performance by local rapper Afroneto. Josefa Hernandez, who coordinated the trip, remarked, “This visit has been very symbolic for us.”
During her speech, Meghan reflected on her life’s lessons, expressing gratitude for the warm reception in Colombia. She discussed her early experiences of having her voice heard and the importance of empowering young girls and women.
Meghan highlighted the work of the Archewell Foundation, which supports various initiatives, including The Parents Network and The Welcome Project. She emphasised the role of men in empowering women and the significance of creating a supportive community.
In her final remarks, Meghan spoke about finding inspiration in strong women around her and the importance of representation. She encouraged women to use their voices and not underestimate their potential.
She concluded by expressing gratitude for life’s challenges and joys, emphasising the importance of modelling gratitude and generosity. Meghan noted the liberating feeling of being herself in Colombia and the inspiration she draws from the joyful spirit of the people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Colombia?
They were on a quasi-royal tour, highlighting their profile and engaging with local communities.
Did Meghan Markle give a speech in Spanish?
Yes, she delivered a speech in Spanish during a talk on ‘Afro women and power’ in Cali.
Is Prince Harry happy living outside the UK?
According to a friend, he misses Britain and feels anger and frustration about his current situation.
Did the couple interact with the public in Colombia?
They avoided public interactions during their trip, unlike William and Kate’s Caribbean tour.
What did royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams say about Meghan’s speech?
He called it ‘extremely selective’ given the public rift with the royal family.
