Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s contentious four-day Colombian tour has commenced, with the first day already brimming with drama.
The Sussexes landed in Colombia today, where they were welcomed by Vice-President Francia Marquez. Their itinerary included a visit to a school, a musical performance at an arts centre in Bogota, and an internet safety summit.
Throughout their visit, the couple will be accompanied by a full security detail and Ms Marquez, who extended the invitation for what is being referred to as a DIY Royal tour.
This quasi-royal tour, bearing many resemblances to an official Royal overseas visit, marks the Sussexes’ second this year, following their three-day trip to Nigeria at the request of the West African nation’s chief of defence staff. The first day of their South American journey has already seen several bombshell revelations….
Netflix show sparks visit
Prior to Harry and Meghan’s first engagement in Colombia on Thursday, Vice President Marquez held a press conference. She revealed that she was inspired to invite the couple to the country after watching their Netflix docu-series, in which they criticised their treatment during their time in the Royal Family.
“I saw the Netflix series about their life, their story and that moved me and motivated me to say that this is a woman who deserves to come to our country and tell her story and her exchange will undoubtedly be an empowerment to so many women in the world,” Ms Marquez said.
The Sussexes’ controversial six-part Netflix show, aired just three months after Queen Elizabeth II’s death, laid bare their troubled relationship with the Royal family and the struggles which led to their decision to step back from the working monarchy. Ms Marquez described the Sussexes’ trip as a “very special visit” aimed at building bridges and joining forces against cyber-bullying and online digital violence and discrimination, as well as promoting women’s leadership in Colombia.
Little-known Princess Diana fact
Meanwhile, also during the press conference, it emerged that Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana had planned to visit Colombia shortly before she died in 1997.
Harry often references his mother during his public appearances and the vice president said: “I think that Prince Harry being here today after that dream of his mum’s of visiting this country is an opportunity to show the best of our nation, to show who Colombians are. We are people who in the midst of adversities do everything possible to give the best of ourselves.”
