Harry and Meghan pose with the artists at an art centre in Bogota (Image: Getty Images)
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle kicked off their tour with a series of activities including school visit and enjoy lively performances.
The Royal The couple began their day with a breakfast meeting with Vice President Francia Marquez and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo. They enjoyed coffee, tea and traditional pan de bono (Colombian cheese bread) before exchanging pleasantries and gifts.
Meghan, looking chic in a navy Veronica Beard summer suit, and Harry, smartly dressed in a suit, then visited the Colegio Cultura Popular, a children's school in Bogota. They were given a tour and an information session by the school's principal, Leonel Umana Parra, and student Jose David.
Later, the Sussexes were seen tapping their feet to the beat as they watched a music and dance troupe perform at the Delia Zapata National Centre for the Arts. Seated between Harry and Ms Marquez, Meghan looked stunning in a bright pink patterned dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, complete with a slit leg, while her curled hair rested on her shoulders.
The royal couple were spotted talking to each other and applauding the performers along with other guests present, before taking pictures with the performers.
GB News: Panel discusses Harry and Meghan's trip to Colombia
However, body language expert Judi James believes it was during this performance that Prince Harry unintentionally betrayed his discomfort.
She told the Mirror: “Despite his lifelong commitment to royal behaviour, it was Meghan who managed to put on a perfect royal smile during this appearance, while Harry's facial expressions and body language alternated.
“At times he would be laughing and chatting away, making lively gestures, but there were also 'flashy' moments like this, when his smile disappeared and his expression seemed almost somber, compared to his wife's.
“As he watched, there was a lot of tugging and fiddling at his clothes and a shuffling of his feet to suggest discomfort or anxiety, while Meghan stood next to him in an elegant pose that did not waver.”
The Sussexes have arrived in Colombia (Image: Getty)
Earlier in the day, Meghan rocked a £598 Orlinda cardigan by designer Veronica Beard. However, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex greeted their fans, Judi believes they were projecting very different emotions.
She noted: “Meghan's 'Hey, I'm here! ' pose, facial expression and styling put her in full, confident A-lister mode here. Her eye expression registers a level of excitement, with her symmetrical smile seeming to nod to a more regal approach, and her way of holding herself is celebrity-infused 'special' and far from casual, relatable and down-to-earth.
“She looks completely in her element, almost as if this is a moment she has been waiting for her whole life. Her shoulders are spread and her elbows are pressed against her torso as she carries her large designer bag in one hand and lets her royal husband drag her along with the other.”
However, Judi suspects that Harry's facial expression is a little more hesitant, indicating complex emotions about the trip.
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“Harry walks forward in a less performative mode,” Judi said. “He's forming a polite smile, but his expression is a little more subdued and complex. His eye expression is almost wary, which could be natural since he's a royal without the kind of protocols and even safety nets that the Firm would have when they're on proper royal trips.”
Harry has openly expressed concerns about his family's safety and has refused to return to the UK after his taxpayer-funded protection was withdrawn following his move to the US.
Security was tight today at the Colegio Cultura Popular children's school in Bogota, where children were given a tour and briefing by the school's principal, Leonel Umana Parra, and student Jose David.
Heavily armed soldiers were visible around the site, and armed police officers, motorcycle cops and security guards in suits were also present.
There was tight security outside the school (Image: Stan Kujawa)
Meghan and Harry have been invited to Colombia by Vice President Marquez. They have a busy schedule ahead of them, including meetings with leaders and discussions about cyberbullying.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will remain in Bogota on Friday to talk to students about emotional wellbeing in education. They will also attend a lunch hosted by Vice President Marquez, followed by a meeting with Colombia's Invictus Games competitors.
Colombia made history as the first South American country to participate in Prince Harry's sporting event for wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans during the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf in September 2023.
Harry was pictured looking uncomfortable as his wife Meghan beamed (Image: Getty)
This visit marks the royal couple's first joint trip to Colombia, during which they will also visit the cities of Cartagena and Cali.
Prince Harry and Meghan’s trip comes ahead of the first World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children, which will take place in Colombia in November. The couple’s Archewell Foundation is dedicated to promoting safer digital environments.
Marquez said: “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. It will provide practical solutions and commitments for countries around the world. During their visit, The Duke and Duchess, as well as the Archewell Foundation, will take part in a number of activities related to this important topic.”