Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in Colombia, receiving a warm welcome as they begin their official visit on August 15. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met with Vice President Francia Marquez, who had previously announced their visit. Marquez, the first Black woman to hold the VP position in Colombia, expressed her excitement about their arrival.
First Meeting and Traditions
Their first engagement was a 30-minute meeting with Vice President Marquez and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo. The couple enjoyed traditional Colombian cheese bread (pan de bono) and exchanged gifts during their visit. Marquez shared her admiration for Princess Diana and discussed their shared ideals on digital futures and mental health.
Thursday, August 15: Engaging with Youth and Experts
After meeting the Vice President, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are scheduled to connect with various organizations and youth groups through their Archewell Foundation. They will also attend an Insight Session at a local school and participate in a summit with experts, activists, and community members focused on creating positive online environments.
Friday, August 16: Education and Luncheon
On their second day in Colombia, the Sussexes will address students about emotional well-being in education. They will then attend a luncheon hosted by Vice President Marquez and meet competitors from the Invictus Games, which recently welcomed Colombia as its first South American participant.
Purpose of the Visit
The visit is in preparation for the upcoming World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children in November. This conference will focus on creating safe physical and virtual spaces, tackling cyberbullying, online exploitation, and mental health impacts. The Archewell Foundation’s commitment to promoting safer digital environments aligns with the goals of this conference.
Additional Details
This trip marks Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s second international visit since relocating to California in 2020. It also follows the recent departure of their chief of staff, Josh Kettler, who left after a brief tenure.
The Sussexes’ Colombia visit highlights their ongoing efforts to address critical global issues while fostering positive change through their charitable work.