Prince Harry is facing increasing criticism ahead of his planned visit to Colombia, a country heavily affected by drug trafficking. A close aide to Prince William is said to have urged the Duke of Sussex to publicly apologise for his past cocaine use before embarking on the high-profile trip with his wife Meghan Markle. With Colombia struggling with a severe drug crisis, there are fears that Harry’s admission of drug use could overshadow the country’s most pressing issues.
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Prince William’s friend asks Harry to apologize for drug use
“Harry admitted to taking cocaine in his book (Spare),” an unnamed friend of the Prince of Wales told the Daily Beast. “His trip to Colombia should be an admission that the country has been destroyed by narco-terrorists who serve wealthy drug users in the West,” he added, as the Sussexes prepare for another royal trip on Thursday after their visit to Nigeria.
“And he should stand up and apologize for his own involvement in this disgusting trade. That would be a helpful intervention,” the person said, referring to the Duke’s admission of using cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms in his 2023 bestseller.
Harry admitted to taking drugs
“Of course I took cocaine at the time,” King Charles’ youngest son admitted in his explosive autobiography. “I was offered a line at someone’s house during a hunting weekend and have been taking more since then,” he wrote. The estranged royal mentioned that these substances served as a coping mechanism for him over the trauma of his mother’s death. He confessed that while drugs did not make him happy, they helped him feel different, which was his goal at the time.
This latest admission also led to a legal challenge to his U.S. visa, with the Heritage Foundation filing a lawsuit to investigate whether Prince Harry had accurately reported his past drug use on his application, which could affect his eligibility to stay in the United States.
Colombia Tour
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will visit Colombia, a country notorious for its high murder rate due to drug-related crime. Since the 1960s, Colombia has been a key battleground in the global war on drugs and is known for producing cocaine, which criminal networks distribute throughout the region.
Despite the country’s dangerous reputation, the Sussexes are travelling there to emphasise their commitment to online safety. In November they will attend an event to combat violence against children. The Colombian government has expressed strong support for its global leadership in this area.
“In these vibrant locations, they will have the extraordinary opportunity to engage with leaders, young people and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress,” Colombia’s Vice President Francia Márquez said in a statement earlier this month. “In addition to these meaningful interactions, the Duke and Duchess will experience Colombia’s rich heritage,” they added.
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