Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s quasi-royal tour in Colombia has reportedly cost the country a whooping £1.5 million (8billion pesos) just for their security, local media have claimed.

In a report which has now been taken down by news website CW Noticias, it was claimed that the Duke and Duchess of Sus𝑠e𝑥’s security during their four-day trip to the South American country included 3,000 police and soldiers, helicopters, sniffer dogs, bomb disposal units among others.

The Sus𝑠e𝑥 couple were invited to Colombia by Vice President Francia Márquez and were provided with a full security detail during their visit.

Harry and Meghan quit their royal duties in 2020 and no longer travel at the request of the UK Government on official overseas royal visits.

Ms Márquez represents the left-wing Historic Pact for Colombia coalition. However, the latest quasi-royal tour’s security cost has sparked outrage among several people in the country, which faces various socio-economic problems.

 

One of those slamming the Sus𝑠e𝑥 tour is right-wing councillor of the city of Cali – where Harry and Meghan ended their visit on Sunday – Andres Escobar.

Mr Escobar took to X to retweet the – now deleted – security cost report by CW Noticias and said: “We continue with an ancient practice: handing over our resources in exchange for smoke and mirrors.

“Billions that could have been used to expand coverage of children’s soup kitchens, pay salaries for community mothers, seed capital for Afro communities or adapt sports venues that are practically in ruins.”

He also accused Ms Marquez of “wasting public money on her vanity” and “spending our taxes on ‘rich white people’ for photo opportunities and social media”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sus𝑠e𝑥 attended a number of engagements focusing on mental health among youngsters and the military community, cyberbullying, female empowerment and the cultural richness of Colombia.

Their visit came amid their ongoing battle with the UK Government over their security while in Britain, which further raised questions about their motives.

Meanwhile, Mr Escobar further blasted the couple’s visit at a time when the country is in need of more funding as there are “hungry” people who have a “lack of basic needs”.

He told the Mail: “The country [Colombia] paid almost two million US dollars for the security of this trip and there are many, many Colombians who are hungry and have a lack of basic needs.

“They invested this money because the vice president wanted to meet two high profile public figures and brush aside criticism and problems that we have here through a corrupt government.

“We are in an economic crisis and eight billion pesos have been spent for the visit of Harry and Meghan, Colombian military planes and helicopters have been used and the money could have been better spent.”

“Before this current government came to power they campaigned that they would save money and not waste it but they have done just the opposite with this visit.”

He also criticised the Colombian vice president after she revealed she invited the Sus𝑠e𝑥es following their Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, saying: “Can you believe that?

“How ridiculous, I can’t believe she said that. This country could have used the money to invest in our own infrastructure, we are in a bad way and money is wasted for this.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sus𝑠e𝑥’s representatives have been contacted for comment.