Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been accused of “putting a burden” on Colombia as the Sussexes provide King Charles with an unnecessary “distraction”, a former royal butler has said.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who arrived in the South American country yesterday following an invitation from Colombia’s Vice President Francia Márquez, came under fire as they continue to carry out a series of engagements in Bogota, Cartagena, and Cali.
Anthony Cawdron, a former royal butler who served at Blenheim Palace, claimed Harry and Meghan were opening themselves up to further questions by visiting Colombia.
Concerns had already been raised as Colombia is classified as “Level 3” in the US State Department’s travel advisory list.
American visitors have been encouraged to “reconsider travel” amid fear of the risks related to crime, terrorism and kidnapping.
There is also concern about the Sussexes pushing security costs on Bogota, with the Colombian government expected to shoulder the responsibility of providing additional protection during high-profile events.
Meghan and Harry are said to have already hired private security for the trip after the Duke of Sussex came under fire for claiming it is “not possible to keep them [his family] safe” in the UK.
In his criticism of the couple’s current visit, Cawdron warned Colombia could feel the cost given the South American nation’s limited resources.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry look loved-up
GETTY
“I think each of these trips that they take seems to have the effect that people question them more,” Cawdron told The Daily Express.
“They are putting a burden on a country that may have a limited amount of methods of keeping them safe. I think it’s a distraction that King Charles doesn’t necessarily need.”
However, Meghan also opened up about the couple’s decision not to bring Archie and Lilibet to the South American country.
The Duchess of Sussex said: “We should model how we want our kids to be raised and for the world in which we raise them.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry met schoolchildren in Colombia
GETTY
She added: “It doesn’t matter where you live. It doesn’t matter who you are.
“Either you personally or someone you know is a victim to what’s happening online.
“And that’s something we can actively work on every day to remedy.”
Concerns about the couple’s safety in Colombia also led body language expert Judi James to air her thoughts on Harry’s “tempered and complex” facial expressions.
James added that despite forming a “polite smile”, Harry’s eye expression “looks almost wary – which could be natural given that he is a royal without the kind of protocols and even safety nets the Firm will have when they are on proper royal tours.”
GB News has approached the Sussexes for comment.