Meghan FURIOUS As Colombia Vice President IGNORED Her Handshake While Greeting ACTUAL ROYAL Harry
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently travelled to Colombia for an official royal tour. However, their visit was overshadowed by controversy after an incident involving Meghan Markle and the country’s Vice President at their arrival ceremony in Bogotá.
Upon disembarking from their plane, Prince Harry and Meghan were greeted on the tarmac by Vice President Marta Lucía Ramírez and her husband. Following protocol, Prince Harry stepped forward and shook hands with the Vice President in welcome. However, many observers noted that Meghan appeared intent on brushing past the Vice President to greet her husband first.
While Prince Harry maintained decorum, Meghan seemingly ignored the Vice President altogether as she focused her attention solely on her husband. She did not acknowledge or greet the senior Colombian official who was there to welcome the royal couple to the country. Meghan’s actions quickly gained media attention both in Colombia and back in the UK.
Royal watchers and commentators were swift to criticize what they saw as a major breach of etiquette by Meghan. Some suggested that she was deliberately trying to upstage her husband, who as an actual royal member, should have taken precedence in the arrival greeting line. By relegating the Vice President to a secondary role, Meghan appeared to be placing herself on equal footing with Prince Harry, if not above him.
“It’s just another example of Meghan’s ego and her desire to be the center of attention,” said royal commentator Ingrid Seward. “She couldn’t even be bothered to acknowledge the Vice President who was there to welcome them because she was too busy fawning over Prince Harry.” Other experts noted that the incident was further proof of Meghan’s alleged disregard for long-established protocols surrounding royal engagements and tours.
However, Meghan’s defenders argued that the incident has been blown out of proportion. They claim her actions were simply a matter of greeting people how she felt most comfortable. As an independent woman, Meghan shouldn’t be criticized for not following every traditional expectation. Regardless of people’s views, the arrival incident has once again thrust Meghan into an unwelcome media spotlight during the royal tour.
Suspicions about Meghan’s true motivations in attending the trip to Colombia have also grown louder. Some analysts suggest she is using the tour more as a way to boost her own global celebrity and profile, rather than to serve in a supportive role to Prince Harry and promote the causes supported by the royal family.
“Meghan is clearly using this trip to Colombia to cement her status as a powerful and influential public figure,” said Ingrid Seward. “She’s there promoting Meghan Markle, not supporting Prince Harry or royal interests.” Whether intentional or not, Meghan’s actions threaten to overshadow the official goals and messaging of the tour.
Despite the controversy, the Duke and Duchess have pressed on with a busy itinerary of visits and engagements since arriving in Colombia. These have included meetings with community leaders and organizations focusing on online safety, women’s empowerment, mental health and environmental issues. Both have appeared engaged as they learn about important local causes.
However, Meghan’s independent nature and apparent quest for attention continue raising tensions, according to some royal insiders. As the more outspoken of the two, Meghan’s tendency to grab headlines risks generating resentment from Prince Harry. While protective of his wife, the Prince may be feeling overshadowed on occasions that should celebrate his own role and status within the royal family.
While the true motivations behind Meghan’s actions during the arrival ceremony are open to interpretation, one thing is certain – she remains one of the royal family’s most polarizing figures. Any perceived transgressions are intensely scrutinized both in the press and on social media. As long as Meghan stays in the spotlight, controversies accompanying her every move appear unavoidable for the royal couple during overseas visits. Their tour of Colombia highlighted once more how Meghan’s participation can invigorate debate, but also repeatedly threaten to hijack the reasons for the trip itself.