Officials in Colombia have set the record straight about how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's tour was financed after the couple were accused of costing the country £1.5million to cover security.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Colombia as part of a four-day tour last week where they enjoyed visiting school, seeing performances and hosting talks.
Reports claimed that their security "cost poverty-hit Colombia £1.5million".
These costs, which worked out at £375,000 a day, involved 3,000 police and soldiers, helicopters, sniffer dogs, bomb disposal units and a guard armed with a bulletproof shield in case of a sniper attack.
Officials in Colombia have set the record straight about how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's tour was financedReutersHowever, Colombian vice president Francia Marquez - who invited Harry and Meghan to the country - has now revealed how the tour was funded.
While their personal engagements were "co-financed", it is understood that international agencies helped with the cost.
The Colombian Ministry of Equality and Equity also stated that the Sussexes covered their own travel expenses.
A statement by Marquez's office reads: "This visit was the result of a collective effort.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's tour of Colombia left locals confused with some unsure who the royal couple are
Reuters"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex financed their trip and that of their team with their own resources.
"The events held in the various places visited were co-financed with resources from international cooperation and philanthropy that generously contributed to this visit.
"The Ministry of Equality and Equity and the Vice Presidency guaranteed the technical requirements, mobility and participation of young people, women and communities."
The tour triggered questions about why the Duke and Duchess had visited the South American country - which is currently facing huge socio-economic problems.
Meghan and Harry took part in a tour of Colombia across four days
GettyMarquez's office has since claimed that Harry and Meghan's trip hoped to encourage tourism and investment.
The statement added: "The visit of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, helped to further demonstrate that Colombia is a country where global causes converge, a country capable of hosting diverse interests, as well as an attractive destination for investment, tourism and business.
"This is reflected in the growing number of international visitors we are receiving, almost six million in 2023. A progressive trend that has positive impacts on the international image of our country.
"During this visit, the country received the attention of international media and citizens who were given the message that Colombia is changing positively."
