Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s tour videos break normal royal tradition for one specific reason

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's trip to Colombia has attracted global attention, with the couple aiming to shine a light on their charity work which seeks to make the internet a safer place for children to browse.

But during their trip, they appear to have broken a royal tradition - and it seems there's a clear reason why.

Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are no longer working royals since their departure in 2020.

Meghan, a woman of colour, opened up to Oprah Winfrey in 2021 about racist questions she faced from a senior royal who questioned what skin colour her child, Archie, would have when she gave birth to him.

They were visiting Colombia on the invitation of the country’s vice-president, Francia Márquez - the first Black woman to hold the position in the country.

Harry and Meghan in Colombia. (Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)

Harry and Meghan have been photographed throughout their trip meeting locals, taking part in speeches and talking to activists, experts and children about the ways in which social media can impact young people.

The couple also visited an Afro-Colombian festival, and Meghan gave a talk on Afro women and power.

Footage has now been released of the couple during their trip, and it appears to show them breaking a royal tradition - including sound in videos.

The footage, which was released daily, was done so with no sound.

The BBC reports that "the couple and government only allowed their own videographers and photographers into most of the events which they say was to make sure events were represented 'accurately'."

Meghan was invited to Colombia by Francia Márquez, the vice-president. (Eric Charbonneau for Archewell via Getty Images)

Harry and Meghan have given interviews and starred in their very own Netflix documentary which brought attention to the cruel headlines aimed in Meghan's direction as well as relentless media scrutiny and criticism.

Harry has also faced legal battles with tabloids over intrusions of privacy.

In 2023, Harry was awarded £140,000 ($177,000) in damages after he sued Mirror Group Newspaper for phone hacking.

It seems that the couple have chosen to release footage without sound to retain control over their image and not allow sentences to be used against them or criticised.

The BBC further reports that Harry and Meghan "took with them only one 'pool' reporter from Harper’s Bazaar who released daily updates to the media about what they were doing, copying in their spokespeople and publicity team."

Meghan said she 'really relaxed' on her trip. (Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)

This seems to be a perfectly reasonable choice given their treatment by the press in the past.

Ultimately, the couple were in Colombia in order to publicise their charity work which aims to make the internet a safer place for young people - as well as their initiatives which include a parent's network that will offer support to those with children that had experienced online harm.

Meghan's speech to audiences in Colombia included: "You may have noticed, my husband and I were talking about it this morning, I just really relaxed on this trip - that's probably because it's Colombia and you all know how to have fun.

"There is something so liberating about being able to be yourself and be comfortable in your skin and be surrounded in a space that is excited to see you exactly the way that you are."