Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet Colombia’s Invictus Games athletes in Bogota on the second day of their visit to South America.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were welcomed by Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez and her husband Rafael Yerney Pinillo on Thursday after they arrived in the country for the start of a four-day tour.
Ms Marquez, who said she was inspired to invite the Sussexes following their Netflix documentary, described the trip as a “very special visit” aimed at tackling cyberbullying and online discrimination and promoting female leadership in Colombia.
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Harry and Meghan were invited to Colombia for their quasi-royal tour after the country’s vice president saw them on Netflix and was “moved” by their story.
Francia Márquez made the revelation when she briefed the media ahead of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s arrival for their four-day trip.
They will visit the cities of Bogotá before travelling to Cartagena and Cali as part of a ‘cultural and social’ visit.
Ms Marquez, who has always referred to the couple as “Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex”, told media that she had asked Meghan to visit Colombia last year but that the visit had been postponed due to other commitments.
Ms Marquez, who is accused of using helicopters as taxis, was asked by a local journalist why she had invited the couple to Colombia.
She replied: ‘I learned about their story through Netflix and I was moved by it. Meghan is a woman who deserves to come to the country and tell her story.’
Watch: Prince Harry on the Dangers of AI and Disinformation
We can show you footage of Prince Harry’s comments at a digital responsibility summit, where he appears to have blamed fake news for the chaos in Southport.
The forum was organized by the Duke’s Archewell Foundation.
How Prince Harry Appeared to Criticize Elon Musk Over the Southport Riots
The Duke of Sussex attacked misinformation on social media during a summit on digital responsibility and appeared to blame fake news for the chaos in Southport.
What happens online in a matter of minutes is transferred to the streets. People act on information that is not true.
He added that many people are “scared and uncertain” about the potential impact of AI and that “education and awareness” are key to tackling disinformation.
X founder Elon Musk has been widely criticized for disinformation on his platform about the events, with even the world’s richest man falling victim after he shared a fake story about Sir Keir Starmer visiting detention camps for rioters.
The point is that we all need to be able to tell the real from the fake. In an ideal world, those in positions of influence would take more responsibility.
We no longer debate facts. As long as people are allowed to spread lies, abuse, harass, social cohesion as we know it is completely broken down.
by Nick Pisa, Mark Duell and Elizabeth Haigh
Prince Harry appeared to criticize Elon Musk following the riots in Southport, Britain, as he and his wife Meghan Markle began their four-day, almost royal tour of Colombia.
The Duke of Sussex attacked misinformation on social media during a summit on digital responsibility and appeared to blame fake news for the chaos.
About 80 adults have been sentenced so far following the violence that erupted in parts of the UK after three girls were murdered in Southport on July 29.
And Harry told an audience yesterday: ‘What happens online can be found on the streets within minutes. People are acting on information that is not true.’
He added that many people are “scared and uncertain” about the potential impact of AI and that “education and awareness” are key to tackling disinformation.
In pictures: Harry and Meghan’s first day in Colombia
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Colombia: What happened on day one?
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Bogota yesterday to begin their four-day visit to Colombia
The couple are received by Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez, who invited them after watching the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan
Harry and Meghan spent the day at a school in the capital Bogotá to talk to teenagers about the impact of social media.
In their second public appearance, Meghan and Harry attended a ceremony at the Delia Zapata National Arts Center in Bogota, where Meghan embraced artisanal design by wearing a maxi dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz.
The Duke and Duchess later spoke at a summit on digital responsibility, co-hosted by Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation.
Over the next three days, the Sussexes will explore more 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.
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Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Colombia.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in the Colombian capital Bogota on Thursday to begin a four-day visit focused on tackling cyberbullying and online discrimination and promoting female leadership in Colombia.
We bring you the latest news and photos from the royal couple’s trip to South America, plus reactions.
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