The Royal Family faces an uphill battle in matching the media attention that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to garner during their upcoming visit to Colombia, according to royal experts. As two key members of the royal family—King Charles and Princess Kate—take a temporary break from their royal duties due to ongoing cancer treatments, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to build momentum with a string of high-profile engagements and projects.
Sussexes Set for Unofficial Royal Tour in Colombia
Following their successful three-day visit to Nigeria in May, where they focused on issues of sustainability and youth empowerment, Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan Markle, 43, have announced an unofficial royal tour to Colombia later this year. The trip aims to spotlight the crucial topic of safeguarding young people online, a subject that has been close to the Sussexes’ hearts given their ongoing advocacy work.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams shared insights with The Express, claiming that the timing of the Sussexes’ engagements may be more than coincidental. “The problem with the Royal Family at the moment is that they are simply not able to do something which attracts attention on the same level, and attention is important if you’re royal,” Fitzwilliams told The Sun.
Royal Family’s Reduced Visibility Amid Health Concerns
The royal family’s visibility has been notably reduced this year as King Charles and Princess Kate focus on their health. Both members have been receiving treatment for cancer, leading to a pause in their royal commitments. This situation has, in part, left the field open for the Sussexes to command the spotlight, both in the UK and internationally.
Though other royal members, such as Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, continue their commitments and travels, they do not attract the same level of media attention as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. “Of course, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and others do sterling work and carry out visits abroad,” Fitzwilliams continued. “But they are not particularly high profile, and I don’t think they particularly want to be.”
The Impact of the Colombia Visit
The anticipated Colombia visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could significantly overshadow the current efforts of the Royal Family, as Fitzwilliams notes. “Their forthcoming visit to Colombia could overshadow the royals with a surge of media attention. It’s going to take an enormous amount of publicity, and the Royal Family will not be able to match that in any way that I can foresee,” he added.
Launching The Parents Network
In addition to their international tours, the Sussexes recently appeared on CBS to discuss their latest initiative, The Parents Network. This project aims to provide support for parents who have lost a child to suicide due to cyberbullying. Their passionate discussion underscored the importance of offering resources and help in an increasingly digital world.
“Our kids are young, they’re 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,” Meghan explained during the CBS interview.
As the Sussexes prepare for their trip to Colombia, the Royal Family finds itself in a delicate position. While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to capture global headlines with their advocacy and engagements, the royals in the UK must navigate their public roles amid personal challenges and media comparisons.
The evolving dynamics within the royal sphere highlight the continued interest and scrutiny that follows both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and the traditional royal figures, especially during times of transition and change.
