Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive in Colombia for tour, meet VP

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry receive a warm welcome in Colombia.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex began their visit to the South American country on August 15 with an official greeting from Vice President Francia Márquez, who announced their visit earlier this month.

Márquez’s husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo, was also on hand to welcome the couple upon their arrival at around 9 a.m. local time. The two couples headed to the vice president’s residence for coffee, tea and traditional pan de bono (Colombian cheese bread) before exchanging welcome gifts.

During the 30-minute visit, Márquez told the couple that she shared the same ideals and goals to advocate for a safer digital future and a mental health landscape. The vice president also shared her admiration for Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, Harper’s Bazaar reported.

For the first stop of their tour in Colombia, Meghan wore a navy Veronica Beard suit and black Manolo Blahnik heels, according to Harper’s Bazaar. She carried a white leather Loro Piana handbag and black Ray-Ban sunglasses. Prince Harry coordinated with his wife, wearing his own suit in navy paired with a bright blue Brioni shirt.

On August 15, the couple will spend part of their first day in Colombia hosting an Insight Session at a school. They will also participate in a summit that brings together experts, activists and community members to create more positive online environments.

Meghan and Prince Harry will also spend August 16 in Colombia’s capital, where they will speak to students about emotional wellbeing in education, attend a luncheon hosted by Vice President Márquez and take part in a meeting with Colombia’s Invictus Games competitors. Colombia became the first South American country to take part in Prince Harry’s adaptive sports event for wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women and veterans, competing at the 2023 Düsseldorf Games.

During their stay in Colombia, Meghan and Harry will also visit Cartagena and Cali.

“In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to connect with leaders, youth and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress,” Márquez, the first black woman to hold the position of vice president, said in her statement announcing the visit. “In addition to these meaningful interactions, the Duke and Duchess will experience Colombia’s rich heritage.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit to Colombia comes ahead of the first World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children, which will take place in the country in November. Meghan and Harry’s non-profit organisation, the Archewell Foundation, focuses on promoting safer digital environments.

“The conference will present a global framework for creating safer physical and virtual spaces, addressing issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation and the impact of these threats on mental health,” said Márquez. “It will provide practical solutions and commitments for countries around the world. During their visit, The Duke and Duchess, as well as The Archewell Foundation, will take part in a number of activities related to this important topic.”

Meghan and Harry are not the first members of the royal family to visit Colombia. In November 2023, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, went on a three-day official tour of the country, where she was received by the Vice President. Sophie visited Colombia in support of the United Nations Women, Peace and Security Agenda, and she made commitments focused on the rights of women and girls and survivors of sexual violence.

Ten years ago, King Charles and Queen Camilla also made an official visit to Colombia (in 2014, when they were known as the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall). Their stop in the country was part of a larger tour of Latin America, and while in Colombia they undertook assignments in both Bogotá and Cartagena.

Prince Harry and Meghan’s visit to Colombia comes just three months after their trip to Nigeria in May, which marked the couple’s first international trip since moving to the US in 2020, not long after they stepped back as working members of the royal family that same year. During their time in Nigeria, the couple focused on advocating for mental health and promoting Harry’s Invictus Games, which was founded 10 years ago in 2014. Both Nigeria and Colombia became part of the Invictus Games at the same time.

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While in Nigeria earlier this year, Prince Harry hinted at more international travel for him and his wife, telling PEOPLE at the time: “It’s hugely important for us to meet people face-to-face, to support our causes and to listen, to create solutions, support and positive change,” Harry said.

He added: “You can only do so much from home or on Zoom, so we’re looking forward to traveling more because the work matters. Whether it’s the Archewell Foundation, Invictus or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work.”

Meghan and Harry’s visit to Colombia could be a great opportunity for Meghan in particular to show off her Spanish-speaking skills. The Duchess of Sussex learned the language while interning at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after double majoring in theater and international relations at Northwestern University.

“We are confident that their visit will further highlight Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation,” said Márquez.