Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘plan third foreign tour this year’ with Lesotho or Botswana possible options

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are believed to be planning a third ‘quasi-royal tour’ before the end of this year, with a return to Africa being considered.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received largely positive reception during their first two trips this year: to Nigeria in May and to Colombia last month.

The couple are pleased with the success of the two tours and are now planning another trip abroad later this year, according to Hello! magazine.

Likely destinations include Lesotho and Botswana, where Harry’s charity Sentebale operates. The Duke last visited the countries in 2019.

An insider revealed about Harry’s foreign travels and charity work: Hello!: ‘That’s his world, that’s what he’s used to and that’s what he knows. He can still add value.’

Harry will also make a solo trip to New York City later this month to “support a number of his fundraising and philanthropic initiatives,” his team said.

The visit will take place during the High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly from 23 to 27 September and the Climate Week from 22 to 29 September.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with students at La Giralda School in Bogota on August 16

This is because the couple’s trip through Colombia cost the country Col$244,245,305 (£44,725.14), including security and domestic transport expenses.

The figure was announced by Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez, who organized the four-day trip at the request of Senator Maria Fernanda Cabal.

Mrs Cabal, her political opponent, previously called the quasi-royal tour from August 15 to 18 “showmanship” and “waste”.

However, the vice president’s office also revealed that Harry and Meghan paid for their own flights and accommodation in Bogota, as well as overhead expenses.

During their trip, Harry and Meghan visited a local school and attended a summit in partnership with the Archewell Foundation on creating a healthier digital landscape.

The Sussexes also took part in a forum celebrating the contributions of Afro-Colombian women, leaders and entrepreneurs.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 10

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, on May 10

And Harry took part in a game of volleyball while visiting Colombian Invictus Games athletes in Bogota.

Harper’s Bazaar magazine reported on the trip, calling it the only word pool.

The quasi-royal tour showed many similarities with the programme of an official royal visit abroad.

And that came after the Sussexes’ three-day visit to Nigeria in May, at the invitation of the West African country’s chief of staff.

Harry and Meghan stepped down from the working monarchy in 2020 and no longer travel abroad at the request of the British government on official royal visits, when travel costs would normally be covered by the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant.

Harry lost a High Court case against the Home Office in February over a decision to change the level of personal security he receives when he visits the UK. He has now been given the green light to appeal.