Prince Harry and Meghan Markle eyeing third foreign tour this year

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to be planning a third quasi royal tour this year after the success of their trips to Colombia and Nigeria.

Despite having been carried out in their capacity as private citizens, the visits have many of the hallmarks of royal tours and have been used to highlight important, often charitable causes.

The couple’s visit to Nigeria in May celebrated the 10th anniversary of Prince Harry’s Invictus Games, which showcases the sporting talents of wounded, sick and injured service people.

More recently, the Sussex’s four-day visit to Colombia was designed to “illuminate” the country’s role as “a beacon of culture and innovation.”

Now, an insider has told Hello! magazine ahead of Prince Harry’s 40th birthday on 15 September, that the couple have set their sights on Lesotho or Botswana as potential next destinations.

These locations are said to be of interest because it is where Harry’s charity Sentebale operates, and it has been some time since he last visited the countries in 2019.

Established in 2006, the Sentebale charity exists to help young people come to terms with aids and HIV diagnoses.

The insider said: “That’s his world, that’s what he’s used to and that’s what he knows. He can still add value.”

Harry will similarly engage with his world this month when he travels to New York on a solo visit his representatives said would “advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic initiatives.”

Reflecting on Harry’s life now that he is no longer a working royal, a friend said he and Meghan removed “time pressure” they faced within the monarchy and are free to use their profiles to promote causes “on their own terms”.

“He has longer to work things out now,” an old friend added to the outlet. “He and Meghan are not under any time pressure – it’s all on their own terms.”

The magazine reports that Harry, who was once famed for his party-loving ways, will enjoy a low-key celebration with his wife and children when he turns 40 this weekend.

He will then embark upon a “weekend getaway” with friends to mark the milestone birthday.

Harry’s low-key life in Montecito was attested to by neighbours, who told The Telegraph: “They keep themselves to themselves. I haven’t seen Harry around much. Normally when you see him around here, he’s walking his Labrador on the beach or on his bicycle followed by his security in a Range Rover.”

The Independent has reached out to a representative for the Sussexes for comment.