Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have landed in Colombia for their four-day tour, warmly greeting the crowds hand-in-hand.
The pair touched down in Bogota, the capital city, on Thursday, August 15. They were greeted by Vice President Francia Marquez and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo.
Meghan was dressed in a £598 Orlinda vest by designer Veronica Beard , while Prince Harry chose a tailored navy suit. The Duchess of Sussex was all smiles during her debut, but body language expert Judi James suggests there might be a disconnect between Meghan's feelings and those of her husband .
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Speaking to The Mirror, she said: "Meghan's 'Hey, I'm here!' pose, facial expression and styling put her in full, confident A-lister mode here. Her eye expression registers a level of excitement, with her symmetric smile looking like a nod to a more regal approach, and her way of holding herself is celebrity-infused 'special' and far from casual, relatable and down-to-earth."
"She looks totally in her element, almost as though this is a moment she has been waiting for all her life. Her shoulders are splayed and her elbows tucked into her torso as she carries her large designer bag in one hand and allows her royal husband to tow her along with the other."
However, when it comes to Prince Harry, Judi believes his expression reveals more hesitance, suggesting complex emotions about the trip.
"Harry walks ahead in less of a performative mode," she continued. "He forms a polite smile but his expression is a little more tempered and complex. His eye expression looks almost wary which could be natural given that he is a royal without the kind of protocols and even safety nets the Firm will have when they are on proper royal tours."
Indeed, Harry has been vocal over his concerns about security for his family and refuses to travel to the UK after his tax-payer protection was stripped following his departure to the US.
Security was tight today outside children's school, the Colegio Cultura Popular, in Bogota, where they received a tour and informational session by the institution's head, Leonel Umana Parra, and by Jose David, a student at the school.
Heavily-armed soldiers could be seen lining the perimeter, while armed police, officers on motorbikes and suited security guards were also present. Meghan and Harry were invited to Colombia by VP Marquez, and are have a jam-packed schedule that includes meeting leaders and discussing concerns with cyberbullying.
The couple will spend part of their first day doing an Insight Session at a school, which is linked to their work through the Archewell Foundation surrounding the digital world and its effect on young people. They will also take part in a summit involving experts, activists and community members who are working to create more positive online environments.
Harry and Meghan are setting aside time on Friday to remain in Bogota, engaging with students in discussions about emotional health within educational contexts. They'll be present for a luncheon hosted by none other than Vice President Marquez, followed by a session with the Colombian competitors of the Invictus Games.
Colombia has the distinction of being the first South American nation to participate in Prince Harry's sportive endeavor for service members and veterans coping with injuries and illnesses; their inaugural competition was at the Dusseldorf Invictus Games in September 2023.
This visit is particularly noteworthy as it represents Prince Harry and Meghan's premiere joint venture into Colombia, where they will also take in the sights and culture of Cartagena and Cali.
The invitation by Vice President Marquex, which the couple accepted, was officially announced on 1 August. The VP expressed joy: "I am pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country."
The timing of Prince Harry and Meghan's journey is strategic, aligning with the upcoming World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children, set for November in Colombia. This event dovetails with the objectives of their Archewell Foundation, which strives to foster safer digital environments.
Marquez stated: "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. It will offer 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."
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