H & M announce a visit to Colombia

[ShamedBySiri]

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce they will visit Colombia

mol.im/a/13698271

Another country on the "Don't travel" list.

"But the UK and US governments have both issued security alerts over travelling to Colombia amid fears over crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping - and Harry's decision to visit comes amid his ongoing battle for his security when in Britain.
The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office 'advises against all but essential travel to parts of Colombia'. And the US Department of State issued a travel advisory for Colombia stating: 'Reconsider travel due to crime and terrorism. Exercise increased caution due to civil unrest and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.'"

Perhaps he thinks this is the way to get his security reconsidered? Personally I'd say the opposite.
If he still had UK security I'd expect them to do a risk assessment and say "NO".
Why should security personnel be put at risk by being required to travel to these dangerous destinations.

That Spectator article! Ouch indeed!
There will be speeches about the following: empowerment, wellbeing, mental health, kindness, etc. none of these qualities they appear to demonstrate in any positive way.

Wonder if the National Anthem will be played ?

I would imagine so. I do hope people remember to use their proper titles, and "sir" and "ma'am".

The British consulate in Colombia need to issue a statement similar to the one issued before the Nigerian tour, making it clear that this is not a royal visit or anything related to the UK government.

As to why - can’t remember who said it, but they were speculating that Meghan is after an ambassadorship, that would afford her IPP status.

Edit: not as an ambassador for the UK, but for one of these countries they are visiting, eg. Colombia’s diplomatic representative in the US.

There have been a lot of comments on SM that Meghan was angry with Jane Pauley as she felt Jane was respectful enough and didn’t use her title .

@EsioTrotlove - good points.
I do wonder what kind of role Meghan is after. She seems to want to be a trad wife, but also be on the world stage.

Yeh, the trad wife that also told off P&G for using a woman in their advert for advertising washing up liquid.

Not sure that would work. Ambassadors can influence foreign policy and negotiate treaties on behalf of a country. Colombia would be on very thin ice in appointing an American citizen to do this. Also, ambassadors, although they receive diplomatic immunity in most cases, don’t automatically qualify as ipp’s.

As a slight aside, I came across this article from 2021 which explains quite well why the Sussexes lost their IPP status in the first place See here

That's the point, isn't it, @smilesy ?
They want to be royals, but not part of the official royal family. However, they want everything official royalty get. They don't seem to understand the problem.

Yes and they seem to have not understood that removing yourself from representing a country means that the country will no longer pay for your security. Harry certainly didn’t understand that being a royal comes with privileges coupled with the expectation that you give back something for receiving those privileges (which wouldn’t seem to be particularly onerous to be honest). Meghan equally, whether because Harry didn’t explain adequately or because she thought she knew better, seems to think that just being part of the family was enough to guarantee status. She seemed to think that it didn’t matter that she didn’t want to carry out then sort of duties expected of the Royals, with all the privileges but also the restrictions that entails, she would still have that status

... ambassadors, although they receive diplomatic immunity in most cases, don’t automatically qualify as ipp’s

Not to worry, @smilesy; should Meghan get an ambassador's role and then not receive IPP status, they could always sue someone else's Home Office or the equivalent

As for a PP's suggestion of our government doing another "they don't represent us" statement, maybe they're hoping the lesson would have stuck from last time? I'd have hoped the same myself once, but have given up on that now it's clear H&M expect to do exactly as they want without the hindrance of advice, rational thought or even integrity

Ooooh. Is it today? Have they arrived? What's she wearing? What have they said?

I am so looking forward to this!
The Sussexes never disappoint!.😂

6hrs behind in Bogotá so the first appearance of Their Eminences will probably be a little while yet

Everyone stocked up with 🍷and 🍿?

Bring it on! 😂

I did hear somewhere that they are going to an emerald mine, not sure how true that is, and if true will they have to wear hard hats and hi viz? That I would pay to see 😂

No! Shall we have a wager on Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex's first outfit?

Absolutely! That’s my entertainment sorted for the next few days 😀

I'm here for the entertainment.

I was surprised when suddenly they were arriving in Columbia as I was convinced that they weren’t going until November, thought I must have dreamt it but apparently the original plan was November but it was changed because they wouldn’t get so much media coverage as it would clash with the November Presidential election.

Perhaps she just watched Romancing the Stone (I love that movie!) and fancies a big green rock. They'd better frisk her when they leave.

🍿

I'd got it in my mind it was November as well, but I assumed that was just me misreading something.

On a shallow note, I'm wondering what she will wear and if the clothes will fit her properly.

On a more serious one, does anyone know if Colombia has cleaned up its emerald production? A decade ago, the drug lords were fighting for control of the industry. Has that been quelled?

Remember she wanted to wear an emerald tiara for her wedding but The Queen refused ? Maybe she will be gifted some for her own tiara ?