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Meghan Markle is due to present a speech at an ex-drug cartel stronghold on the final day of their Colombia tripCredit: Splash
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Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan of Sussex explored San Basilio de Palenque, ColombiaCredit: Splash
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Prince Harry and Meghan enthusiastically joined the local community in a lively drumming sessionCredit: The Mega Agency
Meghan is due to speak in former drug cartel stronghold from 4pm UK time.
Later the couple will attend an Afro-Colombian music festival in the city, which bills itself as the world capital of salsa.
The duchess’ speech, due to be given at the city’s main theatre in Cali, will touch on the theme of “Afro Women and Power”.
It will bring the four-day trip to an end after Harry and Meghan visited capital city Bogota and Cartagena de Indias on the Caribbean coast.
On Saturday afternoon the couple visited San Basilio de Palenque, the first free town for Africans in America.
Meghan stepped out in a white linen skirt and blouse, styled with a Panama style fedora while Harry looked casual in a baby blue linen shirt and cream trousers.
The couple put on a loved-up display as they walked through the village holding hands.
They were there with Colombian vice president Francis Marquez, who has hosted them on the tour.
A local “wise woman” also performed a ritual to bring prosperity for Harry, Meghan and the Vice President.
The duchess, who discovered she is 43 per cent Nigerian after doing a DNA test, said of the village: “We understand very well the importance and the meaning of what this town is, has been left to us very light.
Meghan & Harry have NO idea what they’re doing or what they stand for – they’ve lost all power
“We understand what Palenque represents for Colombia and for the world, we thank you for sharing with us everything you have shown us.”
Speaking about the village, Harry said: “What we are seeing here is everything that a community is.
“Do not forget the Vice President’s message, you are stronger together, you are stronger united as one.”
A local artist called Andris Padilla Julio, 32, performed for the Sussexes after their tour.
He said they discussed plans to build an arts performance centre in the village.
“I gave them a document with what we want to do and now all they need to do is put in the money that we need,”added the rapper, known as Afroneto.
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The duchess looked radiant as she participated in the drumming sessionCredit: The Mega Agency
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The couple marked the third day of their Colombia trip at the Caribbean drumming school in CartagenaCredit: The Mega Agency
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Meghan beamed as she greeted localsCredit: The Mega Agency
“They said they would help. Harry complemented me on my RFP flow and my outfit.”
Meanwhile, Josefa Hernandez, a contractor for Colombia’s Ministry of Culture, who served as master of ceremonies for the visit, said the Sussexes’ trip was “very symbolic”.
“The Duke and Duchess broke their protocol to thank us for opening the doors of our community to them,” he said.
“They told us that they understood the importance of San Basilio de Palenque for the history of Colombia and the world.”
It comes after the couple spent the second day of their Colombia tour in the capital Bogota visiting a school in the town of Santa Fe.
Meghan and Harry were all smiles as they met schoolkids and played volleyball with Invictus Games athletes.
They planted trees at La Giralda School and clapped along to youngsters dancing in traditional Colombian dress.
Speaking in Spanish, Meghan told one pupil: “You’re the same age as my son Archie”.
Harry also tried out his Spanish, asking students their names and ages.
Following the kindergarten visit, the Sussexes and the Vice President went to the school’s garden, where three trees had been planted to honour the visit.
Harry and Meghan then visited the school’s social and emotional gym, where pupils are taught how to balance their mental and physical health.
On their final engagement of the tour, the Sussexes toured the Centro de Rehabilitación Inclusiva for a training session with the Invictus Games’ Team Colombia.
Harry and Meghan were given a tour of the space’s swimming pool, rock climbing wall gym, and rehabilitation facilities.
The duke said: “It’s amazing to see how many people can come together to form one team.”
“They are all so incredible to watch,” added the duchess.
The Sussexes along with Vice President Márquez and her partner Rafael Yerney Pinillo also sat in on a volleyball match.
Pinillo and Harry were called in and took part while the Vice President and Meghan cheered from the sidelines.
Meghan & Harry shielded by ‘ballistic briefcase’ on trip to Colombia school
By Alex Diaz and Ethan Singh
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle were guarded by an “immense” army of security in Colombia with one officer appearing to hold up a ballistic Kevlar shield during their visit to a school.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a full security detail, alongside vice-president Francia Marquez, who invited them on the tour.
Harry and Meghan’s cavalcade included at least 14 vehicles and the school’s perimeter had soldiers, police and suited private security stationed around it.
Their “immense security presence” in Colombia is thought to include an officer armed with a Kevlar shield – known as a ballistic briefcase – to stop any potential shooter taking aim at the couple.
Pictures from their visit to the school’s garden appeared to show a security guard brandishing the shield in the crowd.
At each event the couple have attended, the man has been seen jumping out of a vehicle ahead of the couple while holding the folding shield.
The item – known as a ballistic briefcase – is also being used to protect the country’s vice president Francia Marquez who is hosting the visit and has been the target of several assassination attempts.
During their visit to Colegio La Giralda in the capital, Bogot, the Duke and Duchess took part in an art session and planted trees.
Harry and Meghan’s arrival was celebrated with performances from students who wore traditional Colombian dress and played cumbia songs with live percussion.
Pupils also presented presents for their children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, including Colombian style ponchos, as well as personal letters and drawings.
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The pair walked together hand-in-handCredit: Splash
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The couple were given a tour of the village by a guide how explained the rich historyCredit: AFP
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Publish date : 2024-08-17 20:09:00
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