Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set to embark on an unofficial royal tour to Colombia, as announced by the Vice President of Colombia, Francia Márquez. The couple's visit, scheduled for mid-August, aims to promote various social causes and engage with local leaders, youth, and women committed to progress in the region.
"As the Vice President of Colombia and Minister of Equality and Equity, I am pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country," Márquez stated. The tour will include stops in Bogotá, Cartagena, and Cali, providing the Duke and Duchess with opportunities to experience Colombia's rich heritage and address significant social issues.
The visit is particularly timely, as it precedes the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, scheduled to take place in Colombia in November. The Archewell Foundation, founded by the Sussexes, has been actively involved in promoting safer digital environments, and their presence at this conference underscores their commitment to this cause. "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," Márquez added.
This upcoming trip follows the couple's successful visit to Nigeria in May, where they focused on mental health advocacy and promoted the Invictus Games. Their Nigeria tour was marked by high-profile meetings and engagements, resembling an official royal tour in all but name. The Sussexes' efforts in Nigeria highlighted their commitment to mental health initiatives for young people and the Invictus Games, which Nigeria participated in for the first time in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 2023.
Prince Harry and Meghan's upcoming tour in Colombia will be their first official visit to the country together, representing their Archewell Foundation. The nonprofit organization, which they established after stepping back from their royal roles in the U.K. in 2020, focuses on uplifting communities, building a better online world, and restoring trust in information. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Archewell Foundation played a significant role in advocating for vaccine equity through the People's Vaccine Alliance, benefiting countries including Colombia.
During their stay, the couple will engage in various activities related to the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children. These activities align with their foundation's mission to create safer digital spaces and address mental health impacts related to online threats. The Sussexes' involvement is expected to draw attention to Colombia's efforts in these areas and promote actionable solutions for countries worldwide.
Prince Harry and Meghan's advocacy work is not limited to digital safety and mental health. The Duchess of Sussex, fluent in Spanish from her time interning at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, will likely use her language skills to connect more deeply with local communities. The visit also highlights Colombia's participation in the Invictus Games, an international adaptive sports competition for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, founded by Prince Harry in 2014.
The Sussexes' previous visit to Nigeria was particularly meaningful for Meghan, who discovered through a genealogy test that she is 43% Nigerian. The trip emphasized their hands-on approach to philanthropy and advocacy. "It is hugely important for us to meet directly with people, supporting our causes and listening, in order to bring about solutions, support, and positive change," Prince Harry told PEOPLE during the tour.
Looking ahead, Prince Harry and Meghan plan to continue their advocacy work through more international visits. "There's only so much one can do from home and over Zoom, so we look forward to traveling more because the work matters," Prince Harry remarked. "Whether it's the Archewell Foundation, Invictus, or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work."
