Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have again chosen to visit one of the world’s most dangerous countries, a British former royal protection officer said today.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will head to Colombia on an undisclosed date later this year despite both the UK and US governments issuing travel alerts for the crime-ridden country amid fears over the risk of terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping.

And the Sussexes’ decision to accept an invitation to visit from the country’s vice president Francia Márquez comes amid Harry’s ongoing security battle in the UK.

One British former royal protection officer, who served Harry’s family for several years, told MailOnline: ‘They have chosen to visit one, if not the most, dangerous countries in the world. But nothing amazes me [with Harry and Meghan] these days.’

The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office ‘advises against all but essential travel to parts of Colombia’. And the US Department of State issued a travel advisory for Colombia stating: ‘Reconsider travel due to crime and terrorism. Exercise increased caution due to civil unrest and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.’

MailOnline understands the Duke and Duchess will be provided full security detail for the entirety of their visit alongside Ms Márquez.

It comes after they took a four-person security team to Nigeria for their tour in May amid concerns over the risk of violence, terrorism and kidnapping in the country.

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Prince Harry and Meghan at the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on July 11

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Colombia’s vice president Francia Márquez at the Festival Of Culture in New Orleans on July 6

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The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office states that it ‘advises against all but essential travel to parts of Colombia’. The areas affected are those shaded in orange in the above map

Ms Márquez’s office said the couple would ‘experience the rich heritage of Colombia’ and help ‘illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation’.

She added that the visit would precede the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, which will be in Colombia this November.

It comes after Harry – who now lives in Montecito, California – lost his High Court challenge in London in February against the UK Government over his right to state-funded police protection when visiting Britain.

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Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest against a tax reform bill in Bogota in 2021

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Protesters clash with riot police during demonstrations against tax reform in May 2021

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Protests against the Colombian government in the Madrid municipality near Bogota in 2021

He had told a judge that he did not feel able to bring his children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, to the UK and could not put Meghan ‘in danger like that’.

Harry was then given permission in May to go to the Court of Appeal over the decision made in 2020 by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which is part of the Home Office.

Confirming their visit today, Ms Márquez said: ‘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.

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Harry and Meghan will visit Bogota (pictured) as part of their tour of Colombia later this year