Prince Harry and Meghan Markle embarked on their first visit to Colombia, South America, to participate in various events highlighting mental health for young individuals and strategies to combat cyberbullying, as confirmed by the office of Colombia’s vice president. The royal couple was warmly welcomed by Vice President Francia Márquez at her residence in Bogotá, where they enjoyed local delicacies including Colombian coffee and pastries featuring cheese and yuca. A photo shared by the Archewell Foundation showcased a warm greeting between Márquez and Meghan.
Vice President Márquez, a prominent human rights advocate and the first Black vice president of Colombia, expressed her intention to showcase the cultural diversity of the nation and the government’s efforts to address inequality in a country where a significant portion of the population lives in poverty. The visit aims to facilitate dialogue, raise awareness, and tackle the pressing issue of cyberbullying, which Márquez herself has experienced firsthand with over “12,000 racist attacks” targeted towards her last year.
During their itinerary in Colombia, Prince Harry and Meghan are scheduled to visit San Basilio de Palenque in the Colombian Caribbean, a historic town founded in the 17th century by runaway slaves, located south of Cartagena. Subsequently, the couple plans to travel to Cali, a prominent city in the Colombian Pacific region, to engage in a forum focusing on “Afro women and power.”
Moreover, the Duchess of Sussex had disclosed on her podcast in October 2022 that a DNA test revealed her Nigerian heritage, adding a personal aspect to their continued efforts towards promoting diversity and inclusivity. This visit to Colombia marks an important step in the couple’s advocacy for mental health awareness and combating cyberbullying on a global scale.