Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan third foreign tour this year with Lesotho or Botswana possible options
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are thought to be planning a third quasi-royal tour before the end of this year with a return to Africa under consideration.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are thought to be planning a third quasi-royal tour before the end of this year with a return to Africa under consideration.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received a mostly positive reception on their first two trips this year to Nigeria in May and then Colombia last month.
The couple have been buoyed by the success of the two tours and are now planning a further overseas trip for some point later this year, according to Hello! magazine.
Likely destinations are believed to include Lesotho and Botswana, where Harrys charity Sentebale operates. The Duke last visited the countries in 2019.
Speaking about Harrys foreign trips and charity work, an insider told Hello!: Thats his world, thats what hes used to and thats what he knows. He can still add value.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at San Basilio de Palenque in Colombia on August 17
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with students of the La Giralda School in Bogota on August 16
It comes after the couples tour of Colombia cost the country Col$244,245,305 (£44,725.14), which included spending on security and internal transport.
The figure was released by Colombias vice-president Francia Marquez, who organised the four-day trip, following a request by Senator Maria Fernanda Cabal.
Ms Cabal, who is her political opponent, previously branded the quasi-royal tour between August 15 and 18 as showmanship and wasteful spending.
But the vice-presidents office also revealed that Harry and Meghan paid for their own flights and accommodation in Bogota as well as general expenses.
During their trip, Harry and Meghan visited a local school and joined a summit in collaboration with their Archewell Foundation about creating a healthier digital landscape.
The Sussexes also took part in a forum paying tribute to the contributions of Afro-Colombian women, leaders and entrepreneurs.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 10
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 10
And Harry joined in a game of volleyball on a visit to Colombian Invictus Games athletes in Bogota.
Harpers Bazaar magazine covered the trip as the only words pool.
The quasi-royal tour had many similarities to the programme of an official royal overseas visit.
And it came after the Sussexes three-day visit to Nigeria in May at the invitation of the West African nations chief of defence staff.
Harry and Meghan stepped down from the working monarchy in 2020 and no longer travel at the request of the UK Government on official overseas royal visits, when travel costs would have usually been met by the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant.
Harry lost a High Court challenge against the Home Office in February over a decision to change the level of his personal security when he visits the UK, but he has been given the green light to appeal.
