:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/prince-harry-meghan-bogota-081524-3-8d0448aed2ac4710b1efc7bd2120d68b.jpg "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s trip to Colombia: The best photos")
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s trip to Colombia: The best photos
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have taken off in Colombia.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex toured South America on August 15, beginning their trip at the invitation of Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez. Márquez announced on August 1 that Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 43, “have graciously 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 extraordinary opportunity to engage with leaders, young people 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 Colombia’s rich heritage,” said Márquez.
The vice president added that the visit will take place ahead of the first global ministerial conference to end violence against children in Colombia in November, noting that one of the summit’s goals of making the online world safer aligns with the same principle of Prince Harry and Meghan’s charitable Archwell Foundation.
The Colombia trip focuses on important aspects of the Archwell Foundation’s core work, as well as some of Harry and Meghan’s long-standing concerns, such as the military community and women’s empowerment.
Scroll down to see the best photos from their visit…so far!
The first event of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Sussex.com
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were welcomed to Colombia by Vice President Márquez and her husband Rafael Yerney Pinillo at around 9am local time on 15 August. The couples met at the Vice President’s residence for coffee, tea and traditional pan de bono (Colombian cheese bread) and exchanged welcoming gifts.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle contact the Vice President
Sussex.com
During the meeting, Márquez told Prince Harry and Meghan that she shared their vision for a safer digital future and better mental health.
The Vice President also expressed her admiration for Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, according to Harper’s Bazaar.
Meghan Markle and Vice President Marquez hug
Eric Charbonneau for Archewell
In a press conference on August 15, Márquez said she was inspired to invite the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Colombia after learning more about their story in her docuseries. Harry and MeghanThe six-part series broke streaming records on Netflix when it debuted in December 2022.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit a school
Courtesy of the Office of the Vice President
No chatting in the hallway… unless Prince Harry and Meghan are visiting! The Duke and Duchess of Sussex then went with Márquez and Pinillo to the Colegio Cultura Popular, a charter school in Bogotá.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle take part in an insight session
Courtesy of the Office of the Vice President
Prince Harry and Meghan took part in an insight session with students, where some of the young people spoke openly about the positive and negative influence social media has on them.
Meghan praised the students as “impressive, smart and savvy,” while Harry asked them how they deal with social media and digital literacy at home with their families.
Meghan Markle takes a break
BACKGROUND
After the discussion, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex went outside for a break!
Prince Harry smiles in the schoolyard
BACKGROUND
The couple socialized with students and teachers and posed for some photos.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry walk hand in hand
BACKGROUND
A statement on the couple’s website sussex.com said the school visit “highlighted the importance of nurturing young minds in a supportive environment and providing opportunities for personal and academic growth.”
“Prince Harry and Meghan were deeply moved by the passion and creativity of the students and expressed their admiration for the school’s commitment to education and community enrichment,” it said.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry explore local art
Diego Cuevas/Getty
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex then attended a performance at the National Centre for the Arts in Bogotá. Both Harry and Meghan changed outfits. The Duchess of Sussex wore the colourful Navajo Weaver dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, supporting a label she has worn before.
Prince Harry meets a jaguar!
RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty
The Duke of Sussex laughed as he met an artist in an elaborate costume.
Meghan Markle grooves to the music
Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty
She’s got the beat! Meghan danced with Márquez towards the end of the musical performance at the National Centre for the Arts.
Prince Harry hugs and kisses Meghan Markle
Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty
Prince Harry gave his wife a warm hug as they rose from their seats at the arts center.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are known for showing their love for each other, which, as etiquette expert Myka Meir previously told PEOPLE, “makes them relatable and lovable to the public.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle speak at a summit
Juancho Torres/Anadolu via Getty
As a central theme of their trip to Colombia, Prince Harry and Meghan took the stage at Universidad EAN for a summit on “Responsible Digital Futures,” hosted by the Archewell Foundation in partnership with the Office of the Vice President and Luminate. The couple stressed the importance of prioritizing humanity and connection in today’s digital landscape.
“My wife and I believe that information integrity is a fundamental right, and we believe in the Archewell Foundation,” Prince Harry said, among other things.
Meghan added: “We should be role models for how our children should be raised and for the world in which we raise them.” The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are parents of son Prince Archie, 5, and daughter Princess Lilibet, 3.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smile for a selfie
Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty
Prince Harry and Meghan leaned forward for a photo with Rappler co-founder and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa (with whom Prince Harry had previously spoken for TIME), Marquez and Pinillo.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle return to the classroom
Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex marked the second day of their tour with a visit to Colegio La Giraldaon school in Santa Fe on August 16. Prince Harry and Meghan stopped to highlight the importance of social-emotional well-being in education.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle receive a warm welcome
Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty
Prince Harry and Meghan were welcomed with performances throughout the school grounds, where some students wore traditional Colombian clothing and performed cumbia songs with live percussion.
Meghan Markle visits a kindergarten
Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited a kindergarten class where they did puzzles and practiced their Spanish. Prince Harry asked the pupils their names and ages, and Meghan addressed her son, Prince Archie.
“You are the same age as my son Archie!” she told a student in Spanish.
Meghan also wore jewelry with sentimental value to school – butterfly earrings that previously belonged to Princess Diana.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle eat a working lunch
Presidential Agency for International Cooperation of Colombia/X
Prince Harry and Meghan then attended a private lunch hosted by Vice President Márquez. Harper’s Bazaar reported.
“The confidential meeting was attended by distinguished guests, including government officials and leaders of international organizations and the cultural sector across the country,” the statement said. It added that the meeting “was intended to provide a platform for meaningful dialogue to discuss critical global issues, including creating safer environments for children around the world.”
Accordingly Harper’s BazaarPrince Harry and Meghan both gave short speeches, with the Duchess of Sussex delivering her address entirely in Spanish. After graduating from Northwestern University, Meghan honed her Spanish skills during an internship at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Team Colombia
Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined members of the Colombian Invictus Games team at the Centro de Rehabilitación Inclusiva for a training session. Prince Harry and Meghan toured the swimming pool, climbing wall and rehabilitation areas, and learned about the athletes’ favourite training routines and how they stay strong.
Towards the end of the visit, Harry hopped in to play a volleyball game with Pinillo while Meghan and Márquez cheered them on.
Prince Harry, proud patron
Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty
Let’s go, team! Prince Harry smiled in a group photo.
The Duke of Sussex, a former captain in the British Army, founded the Invictus Games in 2014 as an international disability sports tournament for wounded, injured and sick soldiers and veterans. Colombia was the first South American country to send a delegation to the sixth edition of the competition in Düsseldorf in September 2023.
