Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing for another trip , this time to Colombia.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been invited by the nation's vice president to visit the South American country for a four-day trip this summer. This will be their second official tour of the year, following their three-day visit to Nigeria in May where they participated in various activities.
The pair are expected to land in Bogota , the capital of Colombia before traveling to the coastal city of Cartagena. Their itinerary includes attending a major music festival and visiting a town with a tragic history. Below is everything we know so far about the trip.
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Where are Harry and Meghan going?
The four-day trip will take Harry and Meghan to three different locations in Colombia. They will visit the capital city, Bogota, as well as Cali and Cartagena.
Cali, located southwest of Bogota, is famous for its salsa clubs, while Cartagena is a port city on Colombia's Caribbean coast known for its stunning beaches. The UK's Foreign Office advises against travel to certain areas of Colombia, and the United States State Department recommends citizens reconsider travel plans to the country, urging people to "exercise increased caution due to civil unrest and kidnapping". The couple's trip will likely involve heavy security measures.
Why are they visiting Colombia?
Harry and Meghan are set to jet off to Colombia this summer after accepting an invite from Vice-President Francia Marquez, who doubles as the equality minister. The trip is a precursor to the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children scheduled for November in Colombia.
The Sussexes have also cultivated ties with Colombia, notably being the only Latin American country to participate in the Invictus Games, an event established by Harry. A source told The Mirror about the couple's Colombian itinerary: "Harry and Meghan will carry out a series of engagements aligned to the work of their Foundation and lifelong philanthropic endeavors.
"The visit is part of their ongoing commitment to global philanthropy, building on their previous work in various countries and continuing their efforts to make a positive impact worldwide."
What will they do in Colombia?
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During their stay, Harry and Meghan plan to explore San Basilio de Palenque, recognized as the Americas' first 'free town' for Africans. They're slated for a tour around this historically significant locale.
San Basilio de Palenque, a one-hour drive southeast of Cartagena, was once a walled community known as Palenques, established by escaped slaves in the 17th century. Today, it's celebrated for its unique culture, deeply rooted in African heritage.
In 2008, UNESCO recognized the town and its cultural space, home to around 3,500 people, as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This was partly due to the Palenque language - Palenquero - which is the only Spanish-based Creole language in Latin America, spoken by approximately 3,000 individuals.
While most secret Palenque villages were discovered and destroyed by the Spanish, San Basilio de Palenque, founded by escaped slave Domingo Benkos Bioho, survived and has become a popular tourist spot. Visitors can learn Palenquero, explore traditional hairstyles, and taste a blend of African, Caribbean, European, and American cuisine, including fried fish, coconuts, and mango salsa.
According to city mayor Alejandro Eder, the Sussexes will also attend a Cali-based music festival named the Petronio Alvarez Festival. Established in 1997, the festival is held every August at the Unidad Deportiva Alberto Galinda sports complex and has grown into a significant celebration of Afro-Colombian music and culture in Latin America.
Earlier this month, Mr. Eder shared insights into Harry and Meghan's itinerary at a tourism conference, revealing: "They are going to come to Cali and spend a day in the city. They're going to visit the Petronio Alvarez Festival in the city and they're also going to visit other social initiatives."
Ana Copete, who directed last year's festival, expressed pride in the event's impact, stating: "What this festival has done in the past 27 years is to tell Colombia and the world that we are a multi-ethnic and multicultural country. We, as Afro-Colombians, have forged the identity of this country; we have built this country, hand in hand with others. And we deserve the dignity of our culture, not only as folklore but as a way of life."
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What will Meghan wear during the tour?
During their trip to Nigeria, Meghan dazzled in an array of vibrant maxi dresses and elegant gowns, many of which were designed by local dressmakers. It's possible that she'll stick to the same fashion playbook during their visit to Colombia.
One designer who is almost guaranteed to feature in her wardrobe is one of her apparent favorites, who also happens to be Colombian. Meghan has been spotted wearing several pieces from Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, and it's likely she'll select more of her designs while in Ortiz's homeland.
The Johanna Ortiz outfits Meghan has previously worn include a striking gold sleeveless dress at the Ms Foundation awards. She also donned the designer's creations multiple times during their May trip to Nigeria.
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