Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been warned of the possible "risks" of visiting South America, as the royal couple are set to begin their tour of Colombia.
The Sussexes were invited by the country's vice president, Francia Márquez, and their four-day trip will highlight the issues of online safety and women's rights.
Harry and Meghan will visit San Basilio de Palenque, a town founded by runaway slaves that became the first "free town" of South America.
The couple will also spend time with notable leaders and women's rights activists and attend a music festival.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were invited to visit Colombia by the country's Vice President, Francia Márquez
Getty
Delivering his verdict on the latest international trip for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, former BBC Royal Correspondent Michael Cole claimed that it is the "riskiest thing they've done" since stepping down as working royals.
Cole told GB News: "This is the riskiest thing the Sussexes have done since they scooted off to Canada in 2020.
"They should be very concerned. What they have to sell is their celebrity and their royal status, and they should be very careful about selling that celebrity too cheaply, and to whom they're selling it."
Detailing his concerns for the Sussexes, Cole highlighted that although it is a "beautiful" country, Colombia is home of the "cartel culture" and is a "controversial" destination.
Getty
Cole explained: "Within Colombia, which is a beautiful country, there are the cocaine cartels, Pablo Escobar and so on. And within the country, there are people in opposition to the government who are saying Gustavo Petro will exploit his royal visitors for his own political ends."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Warning Meghan and Harry about their trip, Cole urged the couple to "be careful", but admitted it is good for their brand to continue their work in international countries such as Nigeria and Colombia.
Cole said: "Obviously, they're going to do what they think is good, to follow up the causes they believe in, spread goodwill and do lots of other good things.
"But they should be very, very careful about the people around them."
Turning the discussion to the recent exit of the Sussexes Chief of Staff, Cole suggested that the decision for him to step down from the role could be due to the decision to travel to South America.
Michael Cole suggested that the exit of Harry and Meghan's Chief of Staff could be 'down to the Colombia trip'
GB News
Cole told GB News: "We don't know why their chief of staff quit. The jargon is that he wasn't a good fit with Meghan. But it could have been over this visit to Colombia.
"And I would quite understand that. I actually feel for the Sussexes, because they really need Buckingham Palace. Whenever there's a royal invitation it is scrutinised, whether it's in this country or it's abroad."
Cole continued: "Is it the right place to go? Are these the right people we want the royal personages to be meeting? Should we go? How does it fit with our politics? What does number ten think about it? now?
"Of course they haven't got that help, they haven't got that guidance, and I'm sure if advice was given, they wouldn't take it anyway."