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Privacy NoticePrince Harry and Meghan Markle kicked off their tour with a day full of activities, including school visits and enjoying a vibrant performance. The couple began their day with a breakfast meeting with Vice President Francia Marquez and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo. They savoured coffee, tea, and traditional pan de bono (Colombian cheese bread) before exchanging welcome gifts. Meghan, donning a navy Veronica Beard summer suit, and Harry, in a suit, then visited a children’s school, the Colegio Cultura Popular, in Bogota. They were given a tour and informational session by the institution’s head, Leonel Umana Parra, and student Jose David. Sign up to OK’s royal newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
The Sussexes arrived in Colombia yesterday
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Later, the Sussexes were seen tapping their feet to the rhythm as they watched a music and dance group outside Delia Zapata National Centre for the Arts. Meghan, dressed in a vibrant pink patterned dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, sat between her husband and Ms Marquez, letting her curled hair rest on her shoulders. Harry and Meghan were later spotted engaging in conversation as they applauded the performers along with the other guests present, before posing for pictures with them, reports the Mirror. Body language expert Judi James believes it was during this show that Harry revealed his true discomfort. Speaking to The Mirror, she said: “Despite his life-long induction into royal behaviour it was Meghan who managed to sustain a perfect royal smile at this performance while Harry’s expressions and body language fluctuated.”
Harry and Meghan pose with the performers at an arts centre in Bogota
(Image: Getty Images)
“At times he was actively laughing and chatting using animated gesticulation but there were also ‘flash’ moments like this when his smile dropped and his facial expression looked almost dour in comparison to his wife’s.” “When he sat watching there was a lot of pulling and fiddling with his clothes and some foot-shuffling to suggest awkwardness or anxiety while Meghan beside him adopted an elegant pose that didn’t waver.” Earlier in the day, Meghan dazzled in a £598 Orlinda vest by designer Veronica Beard. But as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex emerged to greet well-wishers, Judi believes they were both channeling very different feelings.
The couple are undertaking a tour of Colombia
(Image: Archewell Foundation via Getty I)
She added: “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 Harry, Judi suggests his expression was more hesitant, indicating complex emotions about the journey. “Harry walks ahead in less of a performative mode,” she added. “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.”
The couple’s visit has been dubbed a ‘quasi-royal tour’
(Image: ABACA/PA Images)
Indeed, Harry has openly expressed his concerns about his family’s security and refuses to travel to the UK after his taxpayer-funded protection was removed following his move to the US. Security was tight today outside the children’s school, Colegio Cultura Popular, in Bogota, where they were given a tour and information session by the institution’s head, Leonel Umana Parra, and student Jose David. Heavily-armed soldiers were visible around the perimeter, while armed police, officers on motorbikes and suited security guards were also present.
The couple’s visit to Colombia will last four days
(Image: Archewell Foundation via Getty I)
Meghan and Harry have been invited to Colombia by VP Marquez, and they’ve got a busy itinerary that includes meeting with leaders and discussing cyberbullying concerns. The couple will stay in Bogota on Friday to spend time with students, discussing emotional well-being in education. They’re also set to attend a luncheon hosted by Vice President Marquez, followed by a meet-and-greet with Colombia’s Invictus Games competitors. Colombia made history as the first South American country to participate in Prince Harry’s sports event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, when they competed at the Dusseldorf Invictus Games in September 2023.
The couple meeting the Vice President
(Image: HANDOUT/Colombian Vice-Presidency/AFP via Getty Images)
This visit marks Meghan and Harry’s inaugural joint trip to Colombia, where they’ll also tour the cities of Cartagena and Cali. Their Colombian adventure comes ahead of the first World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children, scheduled to take place in Colombia in November. The duo’s Archewell Foundation is known for its commitment to promoting 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.”Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnMeghan MarklePrince HarryHarry and MeghanRoyal Family
