Harry and Meghan have arrived in Colombia at the start of a four-day visit to the Latin American country. It is their second so-called quasi-royal tour, following a trip to Nigeria earlier this year.
The Duchess of Sussex was invited to the country by Vice President Francia Márquez after learning about her story in depth through the couple’s two-part Netflix documentary.
Shortly after meeting Ms. Márquez earlier today, they were photographed smiling and holding hands.
Meghan wore a navy blue summer suit, reportedly by American brand Veronica Beard, and carried a light-coloured handbag, while Harry wore a matching dark suit and light blue shirt.
The couple have a busy schedule in the coming days during their royal tour, which begins three months after their visit to Nigeria.
Meghan and Harry have arrived in Colombia for their four-day visit
They were invited to the country by Vice President Francia Marquez (pictured), who was “moved” by Meghan’s story, as told in the Netflix documentary released in 2022.
The couple are expected to stay in the Presidential Suite at the Sofitel Legend Hotel in Cartagena, which costs £2,500 a night.
They were invited on an almost royal tour to Colombia after the country’s vice president saw them on Netflix and was “moved” by their story.
Harper’s BazaarThe Sussex-friendly magazine, which is accompanying the couple on the trip, reports that the couple were met by Mrs Marquez upon landing.
Meghan then presented Ms. Marquez and her partner, Rafael Yerney Pinillo, with an undisclosed personal gift, before a private cup of tea and coffee.
Over the next four days, the Sussexes will visit the city of Bogotá before heading to Cartagena and Cali as part of a ‘cultural and social’ visit.
Harry will also meet with members of Team Colombia who are competing in the Invictus Games and preparing for the 2025 Games in Whistler, Canada.
Officials are keeping the route secret because certain parts of the country are considered “best avoided” due to ongoing internal conflict.
Colombia, like Nigeria, is considered a high-risk destination in some respects by the UK Foreign and Development Office.
“FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Colombia,” the government agency said, adding that many armed groups remain active in the country, despite a 2016 peace deal between the government and the revolutionary movement FARC.
Ms Marquez told reporters earlier today that the aim of the visit was to “build bridges and open doors” to address the problem of cyberbullying and online discrimination, particularly among young people.
However, she made no secret of the fact that the trip is intended to showcase Colombia on the world stage, raising fears that the Sussexes are being manipulated to boost the vice president’s reputation after a series of scandals.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has a 34 percent approval rating among voters and has fired a centrist figure in his cabinet who opposed his expensive health care and pension plans.
Ms. Marquez has been accused of using helicopters as taxis to shuttle herself to and from work. In the past, when asked why she used them so much, she reportedly said she was the vice president, so “too bad.”
Prince Harry and Meghan meet students in Abuja, Nigeria in May this year
Harry and Meghan visit Bogata as part of their tour of Colombia
The vice president said the visit had been in the planning for a year, after inviting Meghan to the country a year ago on July 25, International Day of Women of Afro-Descendants.
Meghan made much of her African heritage during her visit to Nigeria with Harry in May this year. It was their first royal tour together in all but name.
Ms Marquez said today: ‘We wanted to invite Meghan, a woman of African descent, to participate in the meeting and share her experiences.
‘We then sent her a letter with an invitation and she responded. The letter said that she could not come, but that she would like to visit our country and get to know it.
‘Since then we have been working for a year to make this visit, which is so important and good, happen.
‘How I met Meghan and Harry, I know from the media, but I especially saw the series on Netflix about her life and her story. That touched me and motivated me to say: this is a woman who deserves to come to our country and tell her story.
‘It will undoubtedly be a confirmation for many women in the world.’
She also said about the visit: ‘I also want to use the media, national and international communications, to invite the world to visit our country.
‘Colombia is a country with enormous cultural wealth, unique biodiversity and strong people who want to move forward.
‘Colombia, the land of beauty, wants to be the best host and it will be.’
For Ms. Marquez, one of the reasons for the trip may be that she sees Meghan as an ally in the fight against cyberbullying.
She is Colombia’s first black vice president and last year a woman was convicted after she went on a racist tirade in which she called Ms Marquez a “monkey”.
According to the Associated Press news agency, the woman, Luz Fabiola Rubiano, said: “Francia Márquez is a monkey… what education can black people have, they steal, attack and kill.” She pleaded guilty to the charges in April 2023.