Actually, I read that this trip had actually been arranged (in Spain, at least) three months ago and that both Barry and his lovely wife were supposed to be there. The Spanish were disappointed when they found out that only Michelle Ma Belle was going to be there (particularly disappointed when even she stood them up at an evening reception where they had expected to meet her - poor fools). I wish I could remember where I had read it; possibly in the Spanish press.
I agree with the author, there’s something strange going on.
If this is the backstory, this makes it even more clear that these people are ridiculously incompetent as politicians, diplomats, even just as plain old V.I.P.s. They can’t do anything right and they have no clue how to manage things so that they get a coherent, plausible story out.