Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kicked off the third day of their quasi-royal tour with a vibrant drum class as their trip around Colombia continues.
The event was held in a barn-style building , yards from the Caribbean Sea in a suburb of the port city of Cartagena. Meghan wore a chic black dress and carried a cream coloured handbag, while Harry donned a blue linen shirt, sunglasses and beige chinos.
Students from the school, called Escuela Taller Tambores de Cabildo de la Boquilla, which preserves the art-form of traditional African drumming, wowed them with a mesmerising performance amid tight security. Video footage from the event shows Harry and Meghan getting stuck in with the lively event, pounding on the drums alongside the students and swaying along with the music.
The couple were seen smiling together as they took part, but rosy-cheeked Harry appeared a little hot and bothered during the visit. He wasn't alone in feeling the heat, as others taking part in the class were fanning themselves while drumming away. Now a lip reader has uncovered a quick remark the prince made to his wife Meghan in the middle of the class. According to Nicola Hinkling, as he beats on the drums surrounded by onlookers, Harry says: "Ooh, this is difficult, Meg".
And according to body language guru Judi James, Meghan was in her element at the loud and colourful event, but Harry appeared more reserved and slightly glum they walked in. She said: "Harry and Meghan have traditionally shared the lead role of some of their events in the past, taking it in turns to step into the spotlight. Day three of this tour though throws up some body language rituals that seem to suggest it's still Meghan in the lead as she was from their arrival, stepping into the greeting rituals with a keenness, a perfect smile and almost regal grace while Harry appears to be lurking, waiting his turn or standing behind Meghan looking slightly downcast.
"His body language seems to look increasingly awkward as he waits in the wings here though, appearing to be at a loss as to what to do as his smile dies and his eyes begin to drop downward, although the way he stops to turn to throw a cheery wave and smile as he leaves suggests he is still enjoying his visit."
Harry and Meghan were gifted a small handcrafted wooden boat from a student, an ode to the beautiful coastal town and its beaches, before joining in with a drum lesson led by the students, followed by a performance from some of the locals which brought both the Vice President and Meghan to their feet.
Rafael Ramos was ecstatic to see the duchess's reaction to the performances throughout the morning, saying in Spanish: "I love seeing Meghan’s big, big smile — I can tell she’s excited!" Following the musical performance, Vice President Márquez gave an impassioned speech about the inherent importance of tradition when it comes to preserving Colombian heritage.
Speaking to the crowd, which included members of her own family, she said that towns like Cartagena represent the heart of Colombian culture and the art of drumming in particular symbolises freedom for Black communities around the world. The Vice President also said that part of her decision to invite Harry and Meghan to Colombia was because she views them as a joint symbol of resistance and two vital voices against injustice. She said: "The Duke and Duchess came to Colombia…this is Colombia. This is where the roots of our ancestors and our forefathers are from. A community like this cannot be displaced." After spending just over an hour at the school, the couple then left in a silver SUV that was part of a 12-vehicle cavalcade, which departed along a sandy beach next to the Caribbean Sea.
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