Meghan and Harry arrive for Duchess’s speech on ‘Afro ladies and energy’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived ahead of the Duchess’s speech about ‘Afro women and power’ on the final day of their quasi-royal tour in Columbia.
Meghan is giving a speech at the event in the city of Cali’s theatre, which has been surrounded with a security ring of steel including dozens of armed police and soldiers.
The Duchess of Sussex is wearing a sleeveless white shirt with a sequined, patterned skirt, while her husband is wearing another light-coloured linen shirt for day three of the tour.
Columbia has the third largest population of African descent after Nigeria and Brazil and the couple’s host for their trip is vice president Francia Marquez – the first black woman to hold the position.
She is showing the couple around Cali – the city made infamous in the 90s by its drug cartel.
During it’s heyday era, law enforcement officials said the Cali Cartel was responsible foe controlling more than 80 per cent of the world’s cocaine market and were said to be responsible for the encouraging the growth of the drug in Europe making billions each year.
![Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle greet attendees on arrival to the Afro women and power forum](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/17/88655321-13755169-image-a-9_1723999775729.jpg)
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle greet attendees on arrival to the Afro women and power forum
![Harry and Meghan greet people on arrival to the Afro women and power debate](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/17/88655407-13755169-image-a-19_1724000119846.jpg)
Harry and Meghan greet people on arrival to the Afro women and power debate
![The Municipal de Cali theatre prior to the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan for the Afro women and power debate](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/17/88655223-13755169-image-a-5_1723999541906.jpg)
The Municipal de Cali theatre prior to the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan for the Afro women and power debate
![People are seen outside the Municipal Theater of Cali before the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/17/88655225-13755169-image-a-6_1723999545807.jpg)
People are seen outside the Municipal Theater of Cali before the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan
![Women gather before the start of the Afro women and power debate today, which will be attended by Meghan and Harry](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/17/88655127-13755169-image-a-4_1723999247252.jpg)
Women gather before the start of the Afro women and power debate today, which will be attended by Meghan and Harry
![Women queue while waiting to enter to the Afro women and power forum](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/17/88655123-13755169-image-a-2_1723999241005.jpg)
Women queue while waiting to enter to the Afro women and power forum
![A group of women gather in a queue while waiting to enter the Afro women and power debate](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/17/88655125-13755169-image-a-3_1723999244263.jpg)
A group of women gather in a queue while waiting to enter the Afro women and power debate
![A woman is pictured outside the Municipal theatre in Cali where Meghan is giving a speech about female empowerment](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/16/88653957-13754929-image-a-55_1723995569210.jpg)
A woman is pictured outside the Municipal theatre in Cali where Meghan is giving a speech about female empowerment
The cartel was eventually broken in the early 2000s when its leaders were arrested and forced to hand over more than $2 billion in assets by the US government.
The Afro women in power forum will appeal to Meghan who has referenced her Nigerian ancestry several times and Ms Marquez and her are said to have developed a ‘close bond’ in the last few days since meeting in person and have been pictured hugging warmly each time they meet.
Speaking in 2014 to Amnesty Ms Marquez said Colombia’s Afro women ‘must keep going’, despite the risks they face.
She believed women have a key role to play because their ‘caring instinct’ drives them to protect not only their children, but also their territory, the environment and their communities.
![Harry and Meghan's visit to Colombia hosted by the vice president Francia Márquez. (Pictured, the municipal theatre in Cali)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/16/88653787-13754929-image-a-36_1723994846247.jpg)
Harry and Meghan’s visit to Colombia hosted by the vice president Francia Márquez. (Pictured, the municipal theatre in Cali)
![A poster for the Afro women in power debate in Cali, Colombia on August 18, 2024](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/16/88653767-13754929-image-a-39_1723994891550.jpg)
A poster for the Afro women in power debate in Cali, Colombia on August 18, 2024
![Crowds of people patiently wait to get inside the municipal theatre in Cali where Meghan is taking part in a debate](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/16/88653761-13754929-image-a-40_1723994929310.jpg)
Crowds of people patiently wait to get inside the municipal theatre in Cali where Meghan is taking part in a debate
![The city's main theatre has been surrounded - as have all the other venues - with a security ring of steel including dozens of armed police and soldiers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/16/88653759-13754929-image-a-41_1723994998050.jpg)
The city’s main theatre has been surrounded – as have all the other venues – with a security ring of steel including dozens of armed police and soldiers
![Columbia has the third largest population of African descent after Nigeria and Brazil (Pictured, armed police keeping close watch as people wait outside the theatre)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/16/88653783-13754929-image-a-42_1723995049507.jpg)
Columbia has the third largest population of African descent after Nigeria and Brazil (Pictured, armed police keeping close watch as people wait outside the theatre)
![The Afro women in power forum will appeal to Meghan who has referenced her Nigerian ancestry several times (A woman is pictured outside the city's theatre)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/16/88653781-13754929-image-a-43_1723995127157.jpg)
The Afro women in power forum will appeal to Meghan who has referenced her Nigerian ancestry several times (A woman is pictured outside the city’s theatre)
![Prince Harry and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Harry during a visit to San Basilio de Palenque](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88651267-13754929-image-a-131_1723988422578.jpg)
Prince Harry and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Harry during a visit to San Basilio de Palenque
![The Duchess of Sussex is due to give a speech at the event at an Afro women in power debate](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/17/88651263-13755169-The_Duchess_of_Sussex_is_due_to_give_a_speech_at_the_event_at_an-m-1_1723999138302.jpg)
The Duchess of Sussex is due to give a speech at the event at an Afro women in power debate
![Prince Harry and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Harry during a visit to San Basilio de Palenque](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88651265-13754929-image-a-149_1723989225262.jpg)
Prince Harry and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Harry during a visit to San Basilio de Palenque
![Harry and Meghan pictured with drums at the Escuela Tambores de Cabildo on August 17](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88651269-13754929-image-a-133_1723988456463.jpg)
Harry and Meghan pictured with drums at the Escuela Tambores de Cabildo on August 17
![Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan with Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez and her husband Yernei Pinillo in Bogota](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88633353-13754929-Certainly_it_is_easy_to_see_how_the_VP_s_story_would_chime_with_-a-134_1723988466963.jpg)
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan with Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez and her husband Yernei Pinillo in Bogota
![There have also been photo opportunities for the couple with youngsters in Bogota](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88633481-13754929-There_have_also_been_photo_opportunities_for_the_couple_with_you-a-135_1723988532636.jpg)
There have also been photo opportunities for the couple with youngsters in Bogota
![Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the third day of their visit to Columbia, attending a Caribbean drumming school](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88629733-13754929-Prince_Harry_and_Meghan_Markle_on_the_third_day_of_their_visit_t-a-141_1723988674729.jpg)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the third day of their visit to Columbia, attending a Caribbean drumming school
![Photo opportunities on this non-royal tour are aplenty - the couple meet traditional dancers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88633451-13754929-Photo_opportunities_on_this_non_royal_tour_are_aplenty_the_coupl-a-142_1723988690399.jpg)
Photo opportunities on this non-royal tour are aplenty – the couple meet traditional dancers
![The couple met dance students from the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88633673-13754929-The_couple_met_dance_students_from_the_Centro_Nacional_de_las_Ar-a-143_1723988696971.jpg)
The couple met dance students from the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata
‘We need to feminize politics and fill humanity with maternal love.
‘War has always been driven by machismo, by the patriarchy and by business between men. I think these men need to stop being so aggressive in life and think about feminizing themselves.’
Meanwhile the Petronio Alvarez music festival Harry and Meghan which they will attend is the largest Afro-Colombian celebration in the country and held every August.
It opened earlier this week and ends tonight with a ‘battle of the bands’ and draws heavily on Afro-Colombian groups, with stalls selling food and dancing through the streets and the main stage is at a sports complex called Unidad Deportiva Alberto Galinda.
![Harry and Meghan clapping during a performance at La Boquilla drum school in Cartagena](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88636437-13754929-Harry_and_Meghan_clapping_during_a_performance_at_La_Boquilla_dr-a-140_1723988662705.jpg)
Harry and Meghan clapping during a performance at La Boquilla drum school in Cartagena
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88636395-13754929-image-a-139_1723988658563.jpg)
Harry and Meghan participate in a drum lesson led by Colombian students
![Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88636685-13754929-Prince_Harry_and_Meghan_arrive_in_San_Basilio_de_Palenque_Colomb-a-138_1723988646932.jpg)
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia
![Meghan dressed in white linen skirt, sleeveless blouse and Panama hat, while Harry wore a blue linen shirt](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88636765-13754929-Meghan_dressed_in_white_linen_skirt_sleeveless_blouse_and_Panama-a-137_1723988637899.jpg)
Meghan dressed in white linen skirt, sleeveless blouse and Panama hat, while Harry wore a blue linen shirt
![The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk through the streets on day three of their visit](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88636773-13754929-The_Duke_and_Duchess_of_Sussex_walk_through_the_streets_on_day_t-a-136_1723988622082.jpg)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk through the streets on day three of their visit
Since its foundation in 1997 it has evolved into a significant celebration of Afro-Colombian music and culture in Latin America.
It was aimed at uniting artists from Colombia’s Pacific coast and giving them a platform to express and celebrate their rich cultural heritage.
Ana Copete, the director of last year’s version of the festival, said at the time: ‘What this festival has done in the past 27 years is to tell Colombia and the world that we are a multi-ethnic and multicultural country.
‘We, as Afro-Colombians, have forged the identity of this country; we have built this country, hand in hand with others. And we deserve the dignity of our culture, not only as folklore but as a way of life.’
But critic Addo Obed Possu, who makes drums and other traditional instruments for the festival, was quoted in a report last year as claiming it was becoming too political.
![Crowds formed around Harry and Meghan as they arrived in the area on the third day of their visit](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88636781-13754929-Crowds_formed_around_Harry_and_Meghan_as_they_arrived_in_the_are-a-146_1723988765822.jpg)
Crowds formed around Harry and Meghan as they arrived in the area on the third day of their visit
![Meghan has share her thoughts at forums on AI and the dangers of the digital age](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88633467-13754929-Meghan_has_share_her_thoughts_at_forums_on_AI_and_the_dangers_of-a-144_1723988724824.jpg)
Meghan has share her thoughts at forums on AI and the dangers of the digital age
He cited the inclusion of big acts like salsa band Grupo Niche he said had nothing to do with the musical culture, saying: ‘It takes away funds from a black musician, who comes from the deep territories of the Pacific Coast, to perform traditional music and be on the spotlight during the festival.
‘For example, with the amount of money they pay Grupo Niche, they could double the pay of each of the groups that come from the four participating regions.’
Wherever Harry and Meghan go in Colombia the same complaint always seems to follow them.
You hear it in the narrow streets of La Candelaria in Bogota and within the ancient walled city of Cartagena 600 miles away on the country’s Caribbean coast, where the couple touched down yesterday, the latest stop on their faux royal tour.
It is that while locals are only too aware the Sussexes are in town – the excess of armed police, sirens, blocked-off roads and traffic jams are perpetual reminders – it irks that they never see them in the flesh.
‘It’s very strange, they move like ghosts,’ said Arturo, a waiter, sheltering from the Andean sun under a palm frond on Avenida Jimenez de Quesada on Thursday afternoon.
![Members of a children's choir wave as they wait for the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88636749-13754929-Members_of_a_children_s_choir_wave_as_they_wait_for_the_arrival_-a-147_1723989001425.jpg)
Members of a children’s choir wave as they wait for the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan
![Harry and Meghan also met a volleyball team at the Center for Veterans Rehabilitation in Bogota](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/18/14/88633607-13754929-Harry_and_Meghan_also_met_a_volleyball_team_at_the_Center_for_Ve-a-148_1723989034654.jpg)
Harry and Meghan also met a volleyball team at the Center for Veterans Rehabilitation in Bogota
At each carefully selected venue, the duke and duchess arrive and depart unseen, invariably exiting at speed via an underground car park or hidden side street in a roaring phalanx of flashing Land Cruisers.
While their elusiveness irritates some, others in Bogota and Cartagena remain determinedly incurious – ‘they’re nothing special’ and ‘who cares?’ are common refrains.
The couple rounded off the third day of their royal tour by visiting traditional Afro-Caribbean village, San Basilio de Palenque.
The trip to the village involved a half hour helicopter ride from Cartagena and then a 15 minute drive along a pot holed road lined with soldiers and at one point a tank.
To beat the 30c heat and humidity Meghan dressed in white linen skirt, sleeveless blouse and Panama hat. Harry had a light blue linen shirt and cream trousers and seemed uncomfortable in the heat with sweat stains under his arms.
They were met with a warm welcome as locals clapped, cheered and waved at the couple who were accompanied by their usual security team.