The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, arrived in Bogotá, Colombia, on Thursday for a four-day visit focused on supporting initiatives that protect children from online harm. This visit was arranged following an invitation from Colombia’s Vice President, Francia Márquez, the first Afro-Colombian to hold executive powers in the country.
The royal couple received a warm welcome from Márquez and her partner, Rafael Pinillo. During their 30-minute meeting, they shared drinks and traditional Colombian cheese bread, known as pan de bono, and exchanged gifts. The discussions took place at the residence of the vice president, where Márquez emphasized the shared commitment between the Sussexes and Colombia in creating a safer digital environment and promoting mental health, especially for children.
Márquez, who also serves as Colombia’s minister for equality, highlighted the significance of this visit, noting that it was Harry and Meghan’s first to Latin America. She stressed the importance of addressing cyber harassment and online discrimination, issues that have broad implications across gender, racial, and political lines. Márquez pointed out that the most concerning aspect of cyber harassment is its impact on children and teenagers.
The visit includes several engagements, such as the “Responsible Digital Future” forum at EAN University in Bogotá, where the couple will discuss safeguarding young people from online harm. Márquez also noted the importance of the Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, and confirmed that the Sussexes would meet the Colombian delegation preparing for the 2025 Games in Canada.
On their first day in Colombia, Harry and Meghan also visited the National Centre for the Arts, where they celebrated Colombian culture and met with folkloric performers. Over the next few days, they are expected to visit Cartagena and Cali, engaging with local leaders, youth, and women committed to social progress.
While the visit resembles a traditional royal tour, it is not an official state visit, as the couple stepped back from their roles as working royals in 2020. This trip to Colombia, following their visits to Canada and Nigeria earlier this year, underscores their ongoing commitment to global child protection initiatives, a key focus of their Archewell Foundation.
The visit also precedes the upcoming Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, where the couple will likely gain insights into Colombia’s efforts to tackle issues such as cyberbullying and online exploitation, and their impact on youth mental health. Recently, Harry and Meghan launched “The Parents’ Network,” a support network for families affected by social media, aligning with their advocacy for safer online spaces.
