Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, began their four-day Colombia trip, after being invited by Vice President Francia Márquez, the first black woman to hold the position in the country. They were warmly greeted in Bogotá by Márquez and her partner.
The couple was accompanied by a significant security detail, including a 14-car police convoy and bulletproof briefcases.
Reports suggest King Charles and Prince William are upset that Harry and Meghan continue to use their royal status for personal gain despite stepping down as working royals, seeing their Colombia trip as defying royal protocol and family feelings.
Harry and Meghan, who reside in California and do not travel on official royal visits, focused their "DIY royal tour" in Colombia on fighting discrimination and cyberbullying in the country. They visited a museum presenting artworks by students dedicated to massacres in Colombia.
The couple's visit included an Insight Session at a school in Bogotá, followed by a summit with experts and activists to promote a positive environment. Their trip continued to Cartagena and Cali, where they attended the Petronio Alvarez music festival celebrating Afro-Colombian culture.
The visit was not an official state visit, and the Sussexes were not representing the UK government. It was part of their international engagements focused on youth online safety.
Colombia's Vice President Marquez highlighted the significance of Prince Harry's visit after Princess Diana's unrealized tour of Colombia.
Sources: Independent, Sky, Il Sole 24 Ore, Noticias Villaguay, Terra, ANSA, The News, GB News, Askanews, Express, Pinkvilla, Egypt Independent, Wales Online, Inquisitr, Harper's Bazaar, Metro News, Tribune.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
