Meghan Markle and Prince Harry accused of ‘self-promotion’ as royal tour begins – expert

As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle begin their four-day tour in Colombia, their visit has been described by a royal author and expert as “self-promotion”.

The Sussexes touched down in the capital of Bogota and were welcomed by Vice President Francia Márquez, and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo.

Royal author, Robert Jobson, believes there is only one reason the Montecito-based duo have decided to participate. He told Express.co.uk: “Harry and Meghan, however, have one reason for this ‘tour’ – self promotion, to keep themselves in the spotlight so they can continue to trade on their royal links while demanding privacy when they are having their downtime.”

He also added that the couple’s visit has “raised more questions than answers”. He added: “When Harry and Meghan touched down, it wasn’t just the Colombian sun that made people squint. It was the blinding glare of their celebrity. Confused locals are asking, ‘Are they here to help’?”

Robert questioned whether the duo were a “shiny distraction” wondering who was paying for the couple’s “flights, their security” and “their luxury accommodations”.

The royal expert, who is the author of the book ‘Catherine, the Princess of Wales’ added: “If anything their arrival has highlighted the deep divisions in a country still fighting to find its way.

“Official royal tours that take place at the behest of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office serve several purposes, each tied to the unique role that royal families play in their respective countries and within the broader international community.”

It comes as it’s been claimed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are “putting a burden” on Colombia which may only have “limited amount of methods of keeping them safe,” according to a former Palace insider.

It is expected that the Colombian government will cover cost of security for their meetings with high-profile figures such as Marquez, though the Sussexes are also believed to have private security as they visit locations including Bogotá, Cartagena and Cali.

During day one of the tour, Vice President Francia Marquez took Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to visit city centre public school Centro Nacional Cultura Popular where the couple chatted to staff and pupils aged 12 to 18. Headmaster Leonel Umaña, 51, said the visit had focused on an anti-cyberbullying project.