The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Family, News and Events 10: August 2024 -

[Magnolia471]

Tying into her American Riviera Orchard brand, it would be fun if Meghan wrote a book about recipes for her favorite meals and drinks, along with table/room arrangements for different occasions with fun antecedents about each: I always have this cocktail when I go out dancing with friends, this is my go-to meal for Archie and Lili when I need something quick, these Christmas decorations remind me so much of Christmases when I was little, etc.

Pippa Middleton did something similar years ago and it was a flop.

 

[shady lady]

They were invited by the vice-president of Colombia.

Here's an article from the Telegraph about the forthcoming visit.

This is an archived version, so anyone who wishes to read it can (hopefully) do so.

Harry and Meghan 'tour' being used as distraction from Colombia's pro…

archived 11 Aug 2024 22:05:35 UTC

archive.ph

 

[Ghost]

Here's an article from the Telegraph about the forthcoming visit.

This is an archived version, so anyone who wishes to read it can (hopefully) do so.

Harry and Meghan 'tour' being used as distraction from Colombia's pro…

archived 11 Aug 2024 22:05:35 UTC

archive.ph

The article is almost identical with the one in the DM! Daily Mail had just added some stirring the pot extras.

 

[Mirabel]

Pippa Middleton did something similar years ago and it was a flop.

That's the first thing I thought of!
(Although, I read Pippa's book, and felt it had some good ideas.)
Still, it wasn't very successful, there are too many similar works out there.

 

[shady lady]

Here's an article from the Telegraph about the forthcoming visit.

This is an archived version, so anyone who wishes to read it can (hopefully) do so.

Harry and Meghan 'tour' being used as distraction from Colombia's pro…

archived 11 Aug 2024 22:05:35 UTC

archive.ph

The article is almost identical with the one in the DM! Daily Mail had just added some stirring the pot extras.

I only read the comments in the DM

What caught my eye (prob in the DM article as well) is this bit from the Telegraph:

"Bomb left near her house​

The exact details of the Sussexes’ trip are being kept under wraps for security reasons.

Ms Márquez, 42, the first black woman to hold the post of vice-president in the country, already has a beefed-up security detail following several assassination attempts including a bomb left near her home.

She has used the attempts on her life to defend herself against critics who question why she needs to use a Black Hawk helicopter for her commute."

So the lady who has invited them has had several attempts on her life, but H&M are going nonetheless, whilst claiming the UK is "unsafe" for them to visit. Bonkers.

 

[FigTree]

Pippa Middleton did something similar years ago and it was a flop.

She did. No market for something like that.

They have shown limited talent for the world they seem to want to get into. And they, to be honest, may be just talentless at success a creative production type career. And any aspirational stuff like baking/cooking is deeply unpopular in today's world unless it is expertly pitched. No one will want to buy her jam or walking around in a ball gown. I am just being honest here. This is not what people want.

 

[Kenya]

So the lady who has invited them has had several attempts on her life, but H&M are going nonetheless, whilst claiming the UK is "unsafe" for them to visit. Bonkers.

I was shocked by that too. Didn't the original press release say she would be their escort during their visit? It's shocking to me that Harry, with his fears and concerns about Meghan's safety, would feel comfortable being escorted around the country by someone who's experienced "several assassination attempts." If it were me, I wouldn't take the risk, especially in a country with a history of corruption in its security forces.

I didn't know of the threats facing Vice President Márquez before reading that article, but it genuinely made me nervous about their visit. If she's a target for her political foes on a regular day, I can't even imagine how much of a target she becomes when accompanied by international celebrities. I really hope H&M have reliable security around them and that their trip is safe and uneventful.

 

[Curryong]

Meghan and Harry might well be ‘used as a political distraction’ by politicians. That is probably the same for every royal tour as well. Sophie Edinburgh after all visited the country only last autumn. That was 2023.
Moreover, this Sussex tour is a four day visit, not a four week one, so it will be unlikely to change anyone’s mind on the Colombian Govt.
And that Govt will provide 24/7 protection to the couple, just as it did for the Duchess of Edinburgh, and in 2014 for the then Prince of Wales and Camilla when they visited the country. If it was considered that risky or tremendously flattering to a corrupt govt then the 2023 visit would not have been allowed to go ahead by the FO.

 

[tommy100]

Harry and Meghan's chief of staff 'quits after only three months'

When the Duke of Sussex appointed Josh Kettler as his grandly titled chief of staff earlier this year, it was said that he was the perfect man to 'guide' Harry 'through his next phase'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Their chief of staff has quit after 3 months, apparently

 

[Lady Daly]

The Sussexes can't afford to lose yet another Chief of Staff esp so close to their trip to Colombia. Best wishes team.

 

[Hallo girl]

Meghan and Harry might well be ‘used as a political distraction’ by politicians. That is probably the same for every royal tour as well. Sophie Edinburgh after all visited the country only last autumn. That was 2023.
Moreover, this Sussex tour is a four day visit, not a four week one, so it will be unlikely to change anyone’s mind on the Colombian Govt.
And that Govt will provide 24/7 protection to the couple, just as it did for the Duchess of Edinburgh, and in 2014 for the then Prince of Wales and Camilla when they visited the country. If it was considered that risky or tremendously flattering to a corrupt govt then the 2023 visit would not have been allowed to go ahead by the FO.

The visits you are using as a comparison to Harry and Meghans trip would have been vetted by the FO with forward planning , security implications reviewed and considered,
Although we have only heard recently about the Columbia trip it could have been in the planning for some time with similar steps taken before being agreed.
I am sure Harry would have insisted in all precautions being taken before he agreed the visit.

 

[Somebody]

So far, the planned visit to Colombia mostly seems to result in negative publicity for the country - which is sad, as it is a wonderful country to visit but there are indeed large parts of the country that you (as in anyone) better not visit for security reasons. Cartagena should be fine; I'm not so sure about Cali. And as it is the capital it is hard to skip Bogota on a visit like this - as any major city, there are differences in the security situation depending on the area you visit. I don't think there is any area that I would deem completely safe but there are quite a few foreigners visiting the old city center.

I guess the reason this issue is discussed much more now than for any other trip by royals to Colombia, is that Harry himself made security his primary concern for visiting (or more precisely not visiting - especially for his wife and children) his home country.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Harry and Meghan's chief of staff 'quits after only three months'

When the Duke of Sussex appointed Josh Kettler as his grandly titled chief of staff earlier this year, it was said that he was the perfect man to 'guide' Harry 'through his next phase'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Their chief of staff has quit after 3 months, apparently

Thank you, tommy100.

The following seems to be the key information from the article. Interesting to me is the attribution of the second quote: While the source is still (understandably) unnamed as usual for these reports, they are somewhat specifically identified as a "former member of [the Sussexes'] staff".

'Josh Kettler is no longer working for them,' a source in California told this newspaper today.

[...] In May, Mr Kettler joined Harry on his visit to London to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games, the sporting event the prince created for injured and sick service personnel.

Mr Kettler was seen entering St Paul's Cathedral with the duke for the anniversary service, which was attended by figures including Harry's uncle, Earl Spencer, but no other members of the Royal Family.

Later that month, Mr Kettler was a key figure on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's three-day 'tour' of Nigeria and was by Harry's side as he met government officials in the West African country.

[...] One former member of staff told the Daily Mail yesterday: 'What may be most telling is that the entire time I worked there, I don't think I heard a single current or former employee on their staff say they would take the job again if given the chance.

'These aren't employees they had just found off the streets.

'Many of them are people who had previously excelled working for demanding bosses in high-performance companies and environments.' Mr Kettler, who is thought to be American, had previously worked for Cognixion, a medical equipment manufacturer.​

There is also a sidebar listing details of six staff members who have departed Archewell.

 

[Somebody]

Harry and Meghan's chief of staff 'quits after only three months'

When the Duke of Sussex appointed Josh Kettler as his grandly titled chief of staff earlier this year, it was said that he was the perfect man to 'guide' Harry 'through his next phase'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Their chief of staff has quit after 3 months, apparently

That's a pattern, so no surprise that another core staff member decides that this is not a place they want to work in/people they want to work with. You'd think by now most people would be forewarned.

 

[Asteria12]

Precisely

So far, the planned visit to Colombia mostly seems to result in negative publicity for the country - which is sad, as it is a wonderful country to visit but there are indeed large parts of the country that you (as in anyone) better not visit for security reasons. Cartagena should be fine; I'm not so sure about Cali. And as it is the capital it is hard to skip Bogota on a visit like this - but as any major city, there are differences in the security situation. I don't think there is any area that I would deem completely safe but there are quite a few foreigners visiting the old city center.

I guess the reason this issue is discussed much more now than for any other trip by royals to Colombia, is that Harry himself made security his primary concern for visiting (or more precisely not visiting - especially for his wife and children) his home country.

Precisely. Its not the countries he's choosing to visit but rather the very obvious point he's trying to make about the UK (and his court case). Personally I don't believe it will help, they'll not regain that IPP anytime soon.

 

[CrownPrincessJava]

That's a pattern, so no surprise that another core staff member decides that this is not a place they want to work in/people they want to work with. You'd think by now most people would be forewarned.

I find there are two reasons for such a high attrition rate: either Harry, Meghan or the both of them are control freaks and/or there is no strategy or proper execution of a strategy in Archewell. Either of the two will see no person who is highly ambitious and high performing staying in a company like that. I worked for a very small start-up company that had 12 people leave in a spate of 12 months - I was number 13 - and we all stayed less than 12 months; most left after 6. Those two reasons were why so many left the company within a few months.

 

[HRHHermione]

I find there are two reasons for such a high attrition rate: either Harry, Meghan or the both of them are control freaks and/or there is no strategy or proper execution of a strategy in Archewell. Either of the two will see no person who is highly ambitious and high performing staying in a company like that. I worked for a very small start-up company that had 12 people leave in a spate of 12 months - I was number 13 - and we all stayed less than 12 months; most left after 6. Those two reasons were why so many left the company within a few months.

I do think that the number of staff who have left since they moved to California indicates that the rumors of them being awful to work for in the UK were more likely than not to be factual.

 

[CrownPrincessJava]

I do think that the number of staff who have left since they moved to California indicates that the rumors of them being awful to work for in the UK were more likely than not to be factual.

With that many people leaving, I have to agree. People will not leave a workplace if they are happy, feel valued and believe in what they are working on. The ramifications of Archwell's high attrition rate is simple: no investor will touch them if they are that toxic.

 

[ladongas]

Pippa Middleton did something similar years ago and it was a flop.

Many, indeed most, businesses fail in a very short time.

Attention spans are short (both business owner and prospective clients), and the internet offers lots of information for free that one used to gave to buy.

 

[HenRach Dominion]

Is there a high negative opinion about the Sussexes (especially the Duchess) in Colombia as there is in Great Britain?

The attempts on Vice President Marquez's life are very concerning. Are attacks like that common to the every day Colombian citizen, or at least those in the higher echelons of Colombian society?

Is Colombia presumed to be more or less dangerous than Nigeria was presumed to be? Because Nigeria was also called dangerous but the Sussexes came out of that trip unscathed.

 

[Toledo]

I find there are two reasons for such a high attrition rate: either Harry, Meghan or the both of them are control freaks and/or there is no strategy or proper execution of a strategy in Archewell. Either of the two will see no person who is highly ambitious and high performing staying in a company like that. I worked for a very small start-up company that had 12 people leave in a spate of 12 months - I was number 13 - and we all stayed less than 12 months; most left after 6. Those two reasons were why so many left the company within a few months.

Re their employees quitting on them - I assume is because one or both of them refuses to accept guidance or any sort of criticism, and staff stays as long as they can tolerate working for people that just won't listen.

Re their trip to Colombia invited by a Vice President with dangerous enemies herself - I do hope everything goes well, and they get out without any problems. If the Vice President is using them to make a name for herself, she better pack them up with the same security staff. From what I just read, the reason both she and the president are targeted matches the left-wing politics and inclinations of Meghan and Harry.

By inviting Harry and Meghan to get, via them, some kind of clout she also puts them at risk to be seen as supporters of whatever she and the president are doing down there. And Meghan and Harry are probably clueless of the turmoil, and they can't just stop accepting invites of problematic governments.

In some places known for high levels of government corruption, anyone can be bought for the right price to look the other way or to do a chore. And this particular lady vice presidenta has a lot of enemies that are very creative, one of the attempts involved laser beams directed at her from a building (as in the ones used to direct a weapon) and explosives on the road to her home:
Vice-president Francia Márquez avoids another assassination attempt - justice for colombia

I hope they reconsider and avoid temptation of every invite they get to dangerous places.

 

[Asteria12]

Is there a high negative opinion about the Sussexes (especially the Duchess) in Colombia as there is in Great Britain?

The attempts on Vice President Marquez's life are very concerning. Are attacks like that common to the every day Colombian citizen, or at least those in the higher echelons of Colombian society?

Is Colombia presumed to be more or less dangerous than Nigeria was presumed to be? Because Nigeria was also called dangerous but the Sussexes came out of that trip unscathed.

I have a friend who comes from near Cali who explained to me that it isn't so much that the Sussex's are unpopular there (although those who do know about them, including my friend, are not impressed with how they treat their families), but more to do with the local politics. He has said that this applies to all the high profile visitors their government invites, because he worries that should something bad happen to them while they are visiting it would reflect very negatively on his country. He openly acknowledges that it has a deservedly dangerous reputation for tourists, especially wealthy ones. I get the impression they just don't want or need the pressure of these types of visits when they are already struggling to contain political violence and corruption.

 

[Somebody]

Is there a high negative opinion about the Sussexes (especially the Duchess) in Colombia as there is in Great Britain?

The attempts on Vice President Marquez's life are very concerning. Are attacks like that common to the every day Colombian citizen, or at least those in the higher echelons of Colombian society?

Is Colombia presumed to be more or less dangerous than Nigeria was presumed to be? Because Nigeria was also called dangerous but the Sussexes came out of that trip unscathed.

Coming out of one trip unscathed doesn't mean it, it will have the same outcome if you keep walking along the cliff of 'irresponsible' travels. Almost all visits will have them return unscathed even if they are high-risk, however, there are no guarantees and the risks are higher in some places than in others (Colombia without a doubt much higher than the UK); and as Harry claims to want to avoid such risks, his actions aren't consistent with that point of view. Among other things, Colombia's drug mafia are known for kidnapping...

A Dutch tv presenter who has been travelling the world for his program called 'Traceless' (in which they try to reunite lost family members - often but not always after adoption) for about 30 years must have been at many places that weren't completely safe but ended up being kidnapped in Colombia. With lots of effort byf the embassy and local police, they were able to free both him and his cameraman but they feared for their lives in the week they were held captive. So, again, while the chances are high that they will return home fine (luckily), they still take a considerable risk (and in doing so, taking away a lot of police and other security presence elsewhere) by going there.

 

[Curryong]

Sophie Edinburgh was there in Colombia last year for four days, visiting the same places, and presumably received the same sort of security. The British and other media weren’t up in arms apparently over the security concerns then, nor police being taken away from their normal duties ten months ago.

 

[shady lady]

Without wishing to state the obvious, The Duchess of Edinburgh’s official royal visit was planned with the full support of the UK government, along with all of the security and intelligence resources at its disposal. Moreover, that visit was made for entirely different and genuine reasons, and most certainly not out of a desperation to be seen as relevant or a hunger for attention.

With all due respect, it is disingenuous to suggest H&M’s DIY “royal tour” is the same as a genuine royal visit.

 

[Curryong]

Harry and Meghan have been invited to visit Colombia by that country’s Vice President for the genuine reasons she has already expressed.
Statement from Vice President of Colombia, Francia Márquez
August 1, 2024

"As the Vice President of Colombia and Minister of Equality and Equity, I am pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country.

"During their trip, The Duke and Duchess will join me in visiting Bogotá, as well as the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Cartagena and Cali. In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress. In addition to these meaningful interactions, The Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.

"Their visit comes at a particularly significant time, as it precedes the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, to be held in Colombia this November. The Archewell Foundation, founded by The Duke and Duchess, is renowned for its global leadership in fostering a safer online environment. The forthcoming conference will unveil a comprehensive framework for creating safer physical and digital spaces, tackling issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and the mental health impacts of these threats. It will offer actionable solutions and commitments for countries around the world.

"During their visit, The Duke and Duchess, as well as The Archewell Foundation, will engage in several activities related to this important topic. We are confident that their visit will further illuminate Colombia's role as a beacon of culture and innovation."
End of Statement.

As the extent of danger to the Duchess of Edinburgh in visiting Columbia was examined by the British authorities and found acceptable less than ten months ago the argument that the country is now in such a state that it is far too perilous to visit does not appear to me to hold water, considering that the Sussex couple will have security 24/7 just as Sophie had. Harry (as King Charles’s son) will have all the security needed and he and his wife (King Charles’s daughter in law) will visit several interesting places and meet the people, and imho will return unscathed without a doubt.

 

[moby]

As the extent of danger to the Duchess of Edinburgh in visiting Columbia was examined by the British authorities and found acceptable less than ten months ago the argument that the country is now in such a state that it is far too perilous to visit does not appear to me to hold water, considering that the Sussex couple will have security 24/7 just as Sophie had. Harry (as King Charles’s son) will have all the security needed and he and his wife (King Charles’s daughter in law) will visit several interesting places and meet the people, and imho will return unscathed without a doubt.

I think the only reason people are making a big deal out of their security in Colombia is because the couple has recently expressed security concerns about being in London. As you pointed out, Harry is the King' son and his wife is the King's daughter-in-law, and for a couple so concerned with security, they seem to have no problem hopping off to destinations where their security will be handled by local authorities.

Regarding the Duchess of Edinburgh's visit, just sharing some experience as someone who was once involved in organizing a royal visit to my own country. Such visits, whether official, state, or working, require meticulous planning and coordination. The embassy representing the visiting official typically negotiates rigorously to maximize whatever courtesies the host country extends, which are usually tailored to the nature of the visit and the rank of the dignitary. About a week prior to the visit, an advance team—often comprising security personnel—arrives to coordinate with local security and protocol teams. They conduct thorough inspections of the planned routes and venues, assessing all potential vulnerabilities to ensure the safety and smooth execution of the visit. I wonder if the UK or US embassies (who coordinate closely with their own, and local security) are in any way involved in Harry and Meghan's visit, and if they are not, then I would bet a lot of money that the level of security that the Duchess of Edinburgh had vs Harry and Meghan's won't be on the same level.

 

[shady lady]

Harry and Meghan have been invited to visit Colombia by that country’s Vice President for the genuine reasons she has already expressed.
Statement from Vice President of Colombia, Francia Márquez
August 1, 2024

.....

Personally I'd interpret that as the official reason for the visit; how genuine it is, is another matter entirely

 

[Hallo girl]

There are a couple of things you have said Curryong, firstly, ' as the son of the King,' he is not representing the King or the UK but themselves.
That is fine if that is what they want to do.

Secondly they will be provided with security etc etc, so why is Harry fighting so hard for IPP status. When he comes to the UK he will receive appropriate protection. Nigeria and now Columbia are providing security so why the court case?

Could I also add that just because people are critical of their actions does not mean that there are not concerns about their welfare.

I have been very critical in the past with regards their behaviour but never would I wish any harm to come to them or their children, but Harry himself spoke about the 'lone actor' with a knife or acid ( I think it was acid ). That could happen anywhere not just the UK.
As long as they are doing things for the correct reasons.

 

[Hallo girl]

I think the only reason people are making a big deal out of their security in Colombia is because the couple has recently expressed security concerns about being in London. As you pointed out, Harry is the King' son and his wife is the King's daughter-in-law, and for a couple so concerned with security, they seem to have no problem hopping off to destinations where their security will be handled by local authorities.

Regarding the Duchess of Edinburgh's visit, just sharing some experience as someone who was once involved in organizing a royal visit to my own country. Such visits, whether official, state, or working, require meticulous planning and coordination. The embassy representing the visiting official typically negotiates rigorously to maximize whatever courtesies the host country extends, which are usually tailored to the nature of the visit and the rank of the dignitary. About a week prior to the visit, an advance team—often comprising security personnel—arrives to coordinate with local security and protocol teams. They conduct thorough inspections of the planned routes and venues, assessing all potential vulnerabilities to ensure the safety and smooth execution of the visit. I wonder if the UK or US embassies (who coordinate closely with their own, and local security) are in any way involved in Harry and Meghan's visit, and if they are not, then I would bet a lot of money that the level of security that the Duchess of Edinburgh had vs Harry and Meghan's won't be on the same level.

I agree with your words with regards the difference in the visit, that you put so eloquently. They are different, do we know how long this visit has been in the planning, Has the route and destinations been visited and checked. All great questions.