Harry and Meghan's Colombia tour was a success

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tour of Colombia has been a surprising success, and I’m not quite sure what to make of it.

I’ll admit, I’ve been one of the first to criticise the Sussexes when they’ve stumbled. From their ill-fated Netflix documentary and Oprah Winfrey appearance to their endless sense of victimhood, I haven’t hesitated to call them out. But when they get something right, as they did with their Colombia trip, I’m also here to give credit where it’s due.

Let’s face it, the couple has struggled to find their footing since stepping back as working royals in 2020. Their attempts to carve out a new public identity have often been met with scepticism, and not without reason.

However, this ‘quasi-royal tour’ of Colombia felt different. It was as if the Sussexes finally understood what it takes to leverage their global platform for good, rather than just for personal brand-building.

The Colombia tour has been hailed as “a great triumph” by the Sussex camp, and for once, this isn’t just PR spin. Most international publications have echoed this sentiment, recognising the couple’s efforts to highlight important issues like mental health, female empowerment, and the cultural richness of Colombia.

The Sussex team’s execution of this tour was nothing short of a masterclass in how to pull off a quasi-royal engagement.

Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a celebrity jaunt. The Sussexes approached this trip with the precision and seriousness of a royal tour, complete with pool reporters and a meticulous media strategy reminiscent of the royal rota system used by the British Royal Family. The main reporter, from Harper’s Bazaar, kept the media updated with well-crafted narratives, while the couple’s personal photographer and videographer ensured the tour was visually documented in a way that reinforced their carefully cultivated image.

From visiting schools and engaging with students in Spanish to participating in an Invictus Games training session, Harry and Meghan demonstrated a genuine connection with the people they met. These moments weren’t just photo ops; they were opportunities to use their influence for causes they clearly care about.

There will always be critics, of course, ready to pounce on the Sussexes for every misstep, and I’ve certainly been one of them. But it’s worth noting that this time, they got it right. They turned a potentially tricky tour in a country often overshadowed by negative headlines into a showcase of what they can achieve when they focus on the bigger picture.

So, while it’s easy to jump on the Harry and Meghan hate train, this time I’m staying off. They’ve shown they’re capable of using their platform for meaningful work, and that’s something worth acknowledging. Whether they can maintain this momentum remains to be seen, but for now, the Sussexes deserve a nod of approval.

The question now is whether they can continue this upward trajectory or if this will be another fleeting moment of success. Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: we will be watching.