November 7, 2024

 

 

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have hit the ground running in Colombia.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out in South America on Aug. 15, kicking off a trip at the invitation of Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez. Márquez announced on Aug. 1 that Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 43, “kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country” and would visit the cities of Bogotá, 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. In addition to these meaningful interactions, the Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia,” Márquez said.

The vice president added that the visit would happen before the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Colombia in November, noting that one of the summit’s aims of making the online world a safer place aligns with the same tenet of Prince Harry and Meghan’s charitable Archwell Foundation.

The Colombia trip is focused on key aspects of the Archwell Foundation’s core work, plus some of Harry and Meghan’s longtime causes like the military community and female empowerment.

Scroll below for all the best photos from their visit…so far!

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s First Event

Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have commenced their visit to Colombia with a memorable and heartfelt welcome from Vice President Francia Márquez and her partner, Rafael Yerney Pinillos.
(From left) Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez and Rafael Yerney Pinillos in Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.SUSSEX.COM

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were welcomed to Colombia by Vice President Márquez and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo, around 9 a.m., local time on Aug. 15. The couples convened at the vice president’s residence for coffee, tea and traditional pan de bono (Colombian cheese bread) and exchanged welcome gifts.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Connect with the Vice President

Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have commenced their visit to Colombia with a memorable and heartfelt welcome from Vice President Francia Márquez
(From left) Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Francia Marquez in Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.SUSSEX.COM

During the meeting, Márquez told Prince Harry and Meghan that she shared their vision for championing a safer digital future and mental health landscape.

The vice president also shared her admiration for Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, according to Harper’s Bazaar.

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Meghan Markle and Vice President Marquez Share a Hug

Duke and Duchess of Sussexwere warmly welcomed to Colombia by Vice President Francia Márquezand
Meghan Markle and Francia Marquez in Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.ERIC CHARBONNEAU FOR ARCHEWELL

In a press conference on Aug. 15, Márquez said that she was inspired to invite the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Colombia after learning more about their story in their docuseries Harry & Meghan. The six-part series smashed streaming records on Netflix when it debuted in December 2022.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry See a School

Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex along with the Vice President continued their fi rst day on the groundin Bogota with a visit to local charter school, Colegio Cultura Popular.
(From left) Rafael Yerney Pinillos, Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at Colegio Cultura Popular school in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.COURTESY OF THE VICE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

No chatting in the hallway…unless Prince Harry and Meghan are visiting! The Duke and Duchess of Sussex then headed to Colegio Cultura Popular, a charter school in Bogotá, with Márquez and Pinillo.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Join an Insight Session

Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex along with the Vice President continued their fi rst day on the groundin Bogota with a visit to local charter school, Colegio Cultura Popular.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Colegio Cultura Popular school in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.COURTESY OF THE VICE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE

Prince Harry and Meghan participated in an Insight Session with pupils, where some of the young people opened up about how social media impacts them both positively and negatively.

Meghan praised the students as “impressive, smart and savvy,” while Harry asked about how they manage social media and digital literacy at home with their families.

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Meghan Markle Breaks for Recess

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were all smiles as they visited Bogota for a world premier
Meghan Markle (center) in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.BACKGRID

Following the discussion, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped outside — for recess!

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Prince Harry Smiles in the Schoolyard

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were all smiles as they visited Bogota for a world premier
Prince Harry (second right) in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.BACKGRID

The couple connected with students and teachers, posing for some photos.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Walk Hand in Hand

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were all smiles as they visited Bogota for a world premier
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.BACKGRID

A statement shared to the couple’s sussex.com website said that the school visit “underscored the importance of nurturing young minds in a supportive environment and providing opportunities for both personal and academic growth.”

“Prince Harry and Meghan were deeply moved by the students’ passion and creativity and expressed their admiration for the school’s commitment to education and community enrichment,” it said.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Explore Local Arts

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex pose for a photo at Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata during a visit to Colombia on August 15, 2024
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.DIEGO CUEVAS/GETTY

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex then checked out a performance at the National Centre for the Arts in Bogotá. Both Harry and Meghan changed outfits, with the Duchess of Sussex donning the colorful Navajo Weaver dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, supporting a label she’s worn before.

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Prince Harry Meets a Jaguar!

Britain's Prince Harry (L), Duke of Sussex, greets an artist during a visit to the National Centre for the Arts in Bogota on August 15, 2024.
Prince Harry at the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP VIA GETTY

The Duke of Sussex let out a laugh when he met an artist rocking an elaborate costume.

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Meghan Markle Grooves to the Music

prince harry meghan colombia 08 15 24
Meghan Markle at the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.ERIC CHARBONNEAU/ARCHEWELL FOUNDATION VIA GETTY

She’s got the beat! Meghan joined Márquez in dancing towards the end of the musical performance at National Centre for the Arts.

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Prince Harry Gives Meghan Markle a Hug and Kiss

prince harry meghan colombia 08 15 24
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.ERIC CHARBONNEAU/ARCHEWELL FOUNDATION VIA GETTY

Prince Harry wrapped his wife in a warm embrace as they stood up from their seats at the arts center.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are known show their love for one another, which etiquette expert Myka Meir previously told PEOPLE “makes them relatable and lovable to the public.”

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Speak at a Summit

Prince Harry and Meghan visit Colombia 08 15 24
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Responsible Digital Future forum at EAN University in Bogota, Colombia on August 15, 2024.JUANCHO TORRES/ANADOLU VIA GETTY

Highlighting a key theme of their trip to Colombia, Prince Harry and Meghan took the stage at Universidad EAN for a summit on a Responsible Digital Future, hosted by the Archewell Foundation in partnership with the vice president’s office and Luminate. The couple stressed the urgency of prioritizing humanity and connection in today’s digital landscape.

“With the Archewell Foundation, me and my wife believe that information integrity is a fundamental right,” Prince Harry said in part.

Added Meghan, “We should model how we want our kids to be raised and for the world in which we raise them.” The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are parents to son Prince Archie, 5, and daughter Princess Lilibet, 3.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Smile for a Selfie

prince harry meghan colombia 08 15 24
(From left) Prince Harry, Maria Ressa, Meghan Markle, Francia Marquez and Rafael Yerney Pinillo at the Responsible Digital Future forum at EAN University in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.ERIC CHARBONNEAU/ARCHEWELL FOUNDATION VIA GETTY

Prince Harry and Meghan leaned in for a picture with with Rappler co-founder and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa (who Prince Harry previously spoke with for TIME), Márquez and Pinillo.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Go Back to the Classroom

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Colegio La Giralda during The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Colombia Visit on August 16, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Colegio La Giraldaon in Santa Fe, Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 16, 2024.ERIC CHARBONNEAU/ARCHEWELL FOUNDATION VIA GETTY

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out on Aug. 16 for the second day of their tour with a visit to the Colegio La Giraldaon school in Santa Fe. Prince Harry and Meghan made the stop to highlight the importance of social-emotional well-being in education.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Receive a Warm Welcome

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Colegio La Giralda during The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Colombia Visit on August 16, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (center) at Colegio La Giraldaon in Santa Fe, Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 16, 2024.ERIC CHARBONNEAU/ARCHEWELL FOUNDATION VIA GETTY

Prince Harry and Meghan were welcomed with performances throughout the school grounds, where some students sported traditional Colombian dress and performed cumbia songs featuring live percussion.

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Meghan Markle Visits a Kindergarten

 Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits Colegio La Giralda school during The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Colombia Visit on August 16, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia.
Meghan Markle at Colegio La Giraldaon in Santa Fe, Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 16, 2024.ERIC CHARBONNEAU/ARCHEWELL FOUNDATION VIA GETTY

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex popped into a kindergarten class, where they worked on puzzles and practiced their Spanish-language skills. Prince Harry asked students their names and ages, and Meghan brought up their son, Prince Archie.

“You’re the same age as my son, Archie!” she told a student in Spanish.

Meghan also wore some sentimental jewelry to the school — butterfly earrings that previously belonged to Princess Diana.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Have a Working Lunch

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Colombia
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Colombia on Aug. 16, 2024.PRESIDENTIAL AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION OF COLOMBIA/X

Prince Harry and Meghan then moved to a private lunch hosted by Vice President Márquez, Harper’s Bazaar reported.

“The intimate gathering was attended by esteemed guests including government officials and leaders of international organization and cultural sectors all across the country,” the outlet said. It added that the gathering “was meant to provide a platform for meaningful dialogue to discuss critical global issues at hand, including creating safer environments for children around the world.”

According to Harper’s Bazaar, Prince Harry and Meghan both delivered brief remarks, with the Duchess of Sussex sharing hers entirely in Spanish. After graduating from Northwestern University, Meghan honed her Spanish language skills during an internship with the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Meet Team Colombia

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are seen at a Training Session with Invictus Games Team Colombia at the Centro de Rehabilitación Inclusiva during The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Colombia Visit on August 16, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Centro de Rehabilitación Inclusiva in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 16, 2024.ERIC CHARBONNEAU/ARCHEWELL FOUNDATION VIA GETTY

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met with members of Colombia’s Invictus Games team at the Centro de Rehabilitación Inclusiva for a training session. Prince Harry and Meghan toured the swimming pool, rock climbing wall gym and rehabilitation areas, and heard about the athletes’ favorite workout routines and how they stay strong.

Harry hopped in to join a volleyball match with Pinillo towards the end of the visit, while Meghan and Márquez cheered them on.

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Prince Harry, Proud Patron

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex is seen at a Training Session with Invictus Games Team Colombia at the Centro de Rehabilitación Inclusiva during The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Colombia Visit on August 16, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia.
Prince Harry (center) at the Centro de Rehabilitación Inclusiva in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 16, 2024.ERIC CHARBONNEAU/ARCHEWELL FOUNDATION VIA GETTY

Go team! Prince Harry smiled in a group picture.

The Duke of Sussex, a former captain in the British Army, launched the Invictus Games as an international adaptive sports tournament for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans in 2014. Colombia became the first South American nation to send a delegation to the sixth edition of the competition in Düsseldorf, Germany, in September 2023.

Source people.com

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