South Park's latest episode takes aim at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's disastrous trip to Colombia with its trademark scathing humor. Titled "The Worst Trip of the Year," this episode of the irreverent animated series skewers the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s high-profile and ill-fated journey, which was marred by a series of mishaps, controversies, and tone-deaf public relations blunders.
The episode kicks off with the show's four adolescent protagonists—Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny—gathered around the TV, eagerly awaiting the latest news on Harry and Meghan’s trip. "I can't wait to see what those two idiots did this time," Cartman sneers, munching on cheesy poofs. As the news unfolds, viewers are treated to a sharp, dramatic retelling of the couple’s visit to the South American country.
From the Royals’ cringe-worthy photo op at a Colombian cocaine lab to their awkward attempts to connect with the local populace, South Park’s writers spare no effort in mocking every misstep. One particularly savage scene features a stand-in for Prince Harry eagerly sniffing a mysterious white powder during a tour of the drug facility, only to be arrested and thrown into a Colombian jail. "I’m doing this for my mental health," he shouts desperately while Meghan frantically tries to negotiate his release with local authorities.
The episode is laced with biting social commentary, highlighting the Sussexes’ perceived disconnect from the realities faced by ordinary people. In one scene, Harry and Meghan are shown handing out Archewell-branded reusable water bottles to impoverished Colombian children, oblivious to the fact that these families lack access to clean drinking water. "These two really are the worst," Kyle observes, shaking his head in dismay. "They just can't seem to do anything right."
The episode reaches its climax as Harry and Meghan, in a last-ditch effort to salvage their trip, embark on a spiritual journey into the Colombian jungle. What follows is a hilariously cringeworthy sequence where the Royals, woefully unprepared for the rainforest’s rigors, become hopelessly lost and must rely on the kindness of local tribespeople to find their way back to civilization. As Harry and Meghan stumble through the undergrowth, bickering and complaining, the writers take aim at their perceived sense of entitlement and detachment from the people they claim to champion. "These two are so out of touch it’s almost painful to watch," Cartman remarks as the camera pans over the disheveled Royals. "How do they expect anyone to take them seriously?"
The episode concludes with Harry and Meghan returning to the UK, their tails between their legs, only to be met with a barrage of scathing headlines and social media mockery. In a particularly biting scene, the couple is shown huddled on the couch, scrolling through their phones in dismay as the public reacts to their ill-fated trip. "Wow, they really screwed the pooch on this one," Stan observes as the episode wraps up. "I almost feel bad for them. Almost."
South Park's decision to target the Sussexes’ Colombian trip is both bold and timely, reflecting the ongoing public fascination and criticism surrounding the couple's various public engagements and initiatives. By depicting the high-profile debacle in such a merciless fashion, the show taps into a broader sentiment of exasperation and skepticism toward the Royals' perceived missteps and tone-deaf behavior.
In the end, "The Worst Trip of the Year" serves as a scathing indictment of the Sussexes’ disconnect from the realities faced by those they claim to help, as well as a broader commentary on the perils of celebrity-driven philanthropy and the public’s waning patience for the perceived excesses of the rich and famous. Whether you’re a die-hard South Park fan or simply interested in the latest royal drama, this episode is sure to entertain and provoke. So grab a bag of cheesy poofs, sit back, and enjoy the train wreck that is Harry and Meghan’s disastrous trip to Colombia.
