Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have come under scrutiny for their recent four-day tour of Colombia, with reports alleging that the couple’s visit cost the country a staggering £1.5 million in security expenses. However, officials in Colombia, including Vice President Francia Márquez, have clarified the financial aspects of the tour, emphasizing that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex covered their own travel costs.

During their visit, Harry and Meghan engaged in various activities, including school visits, performances, and hosting discussions, all while being closely monitored by a security detail that reportedly included 3,000 police and soldiers, helicopters, sniffer dogs, bomb disposal units, and even a guard armed with a bulletproof shield. The security measures, according to reports, amounted to £375,000 per day, sparking controversy given Colombia’s ongoing socio-economic challenges.

In response to these claims, Márquez’s office released a statement shedding light on the funding of the tour. The statement confirmed that Harry and Meghan financed their trip and that of their team using their own resources. Additionally, the events organized during their visit were co-financed by international cooperation and philanthropic contributions, ensuring that the burden on Colombia’s government was minimal.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex financed their trip and that of their team with their own resources,” the statement read. “The events held in the various places visited were co-financed with resources from international cooperation and philanthropy that generously contributed to this visit.”

The statement also highlighted that the Colombian Ministry of Equality and Equity, along with the Vice Presidency, ensured the technical requirements and logistics for the tour, including the involvement of local communities, women, and youth.

Márquez’s office further defended the tour, stating that the visit was intended to promote Colombia as an attractive destination for tourism and investment. The statement pointed out that the couple’s presence helped draw international attention to Colombia, which has seen a rise in global visitors, with nearly six million tourists in 2023 alone.

“The visit of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, helped to further demonstrate that Colombia is a country where global causes converge, a country capable of hosting diverse interests, as well as an attractive destination for investment, tourism, and business,” the statement added.

While the tour has raised eyebrows and questions about its timing and purpose, the clarification from Colombian officials underscores that Harry and Meghan were mindful of the financial implications of their visit, opting to bear the costs themselves rather than relying entirely on the host country. This gesture, combined with the aim of promoting Colombia on the global stage, seeks to shift the narrative from controversy to one of positive impact.