When Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visited Colombia on the invitation of the country’s Vice-President, it was deemed by some as an unofficial ‘royal tour’. The couple were there to promote internet safety for children and young people, and learn more about Colombian history and culture, and they received a grand welcome to the South American country, and were reportedly protected by state security whilst they were there.

Just months earlier the couple travelled to Nigeria for another semi-royal visit, and whilst they were not representing the crown in any official capacity, the formula of both visits seemed to largely follow those foreign tours they undertook as working royals. There was some controversy over the cost of the couple’s visit to the country, with one senator calling it “wasteful spending”. However, Vice President Francia Marquez, who invited the couple, has stressed that the Duke and Duchess paid for many aspects of their four-day visit, including their flights, hotel and other expenses.

Sources speaking to OK magazine have claimed that the Duke and Duchess were left “embarrassed” over the backlash from some quarters over the costs of the trip, and the quasi-royal tour nature of the visit. One anonymous source was quoted as saying that the couple found themselves at a “crossroad” around he time of Harry’s recent 40th birthday, and carefully considering what next steps they should take.

“Meghan and Harry are used to the criticism and backlash and try not to let it bother them. They have had to go through so much during their eight-year relationship and are certain nothing can break them. Whatever happens, they will support each other. Nobody thought they would survive leaving the royals and that the stress of uprooting their entire lives would take its toll.

“As well as Harry cutting off his family, Meghan only now speaks to her mother from her side and has nothing to do with her dad. But it’s made them stronger and they are prepared to fight for their marriage and for the for future for the sake of their family. It’s a testing time right now and they both feel at a crossroad, so they need to think carefully about their next steps. But one thing’s for sure, they will come out fighting.”

Meghan’s newest venture America Riviera Orchard was initially launched earlier this year with promotional jars of limited edition jams sent to her closest pals, and she is set to appear in an upcoming show for Netflix, which will reportedly see the Duchess explore the “joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship”.

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