Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will visit Colombia for a tour later this year where they will ‘engage with leaders, youth and women’, it was confirmed today.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will head to the South American country after accepting an invitation from its vice president Francia Márquez.
Harry and Meghan will also ‘engage in several activities’ related to ‘cyberbullying, online exploitation and the mental health impacts of these threats’.
Ms Márquez’s office said the couple would ‘experience the rich heritage of Colombia’ and help ‘illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation’.
She added that the visit would precede the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, which will be held in Colombia this November.
Prince Harry and Meghan at the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on July 11
Ms Márquez said: ‘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.
‘During their trip, the Duke and Duchess will join me in visiting Bogotá, as well as the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Cartagena and Cali.
‘In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress. In addition to these meaningful interactions, the Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.’
She added that the visit would come at a ‘particularly significant time’ given that it precedes the Ending Violence Against Children conference.
Continuing, Ms Márquez said: ‘The Archewell Foundation, founded by the Duke and Duchess, is renowned for its global leadership in fostering a safer online environment.
‘The forthcoming conference will unveil a comprehensive framework for creating safer physical and digital spaces, tackling issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and the mental health impacts of these threats.
‘It will offer actionable solutions and commitments for countries around the world. During their visit, The Duke and Duchess, as well as The Archewell Foundation, will engage in several activities related to this important topic.
‘We are confident that their visit will further illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation.’
It comes after Harry and Meghan went on a three-day visit to Nigeria in May on the invitation of the chief of defence staff.
The couple visited a school, met injured service members at a military hospital and attended training sessions for charity organisation which work with the Invictus Games.
They also went to a reception where military families were honoured, and Meghan to co-hosted an event of Women in Leadership with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organisation.
The couple’s other engagements included a basketball camp with Giants of Africa, a cultural reception and a polo fundraiser for Nigeria: Unconquered.