Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Touch Down in Colombia and Break Traditional Cheese Bread with Vice President

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were welcomed by Colombia's Vice President Francia Márquez and her husband

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are receiving a warm welcome to Colombia.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex kicked off their visit to the South American country on Aug. 15, starting their trip with an official greeting from Vice President Francia Márquez, who announced their visit earlier this month.

Márquez's husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo, was also on hand to meet the couple upon their arrival at around 9 a.m. local time. The two couples went to the vice president's residence for coffee, tea and traditional pan de bono (Colombian cheese bread) before exchanging welcome gifts.

During the 30-minute visit, Márquez told the couple that she shared their same ideals and goals for championing a safer digital future and mental health landscape. The vice president also shared her admiration for Harry's mother, Princess Diana, Harper’s Bazaar reported.

For the first stop on their Colombia tour, Meghan wore a navy Veronica Beard suit and black Manolo Blahnik heels, according to Harper’s Bazaar. She accessorized with a white leather Loro Piana handbag and black Ray-Ban sunglasses. Prince Harry coordinated with his wife, wearing his own suit in dark blue paired with a bright blue Brioni dress shirt.

Related: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Aren't the First Royals to Visit Colombia — See Previous Trips by Family

On Aug. 15, the couple will spend part of their first day in Colombia doing an Insight Session at a school. They'll also participate in a summit gathering experts, activists and community members working to create more positive online environments.

Meghan and Prince Harry will also spend Aug. 16 in the capital of Colombia, where they'll with students to highlight emotional well-being in education, attend a luncheon hosted by Vice President Márquez and take part in a gathering with Colombia's Invictus Games competitors. Colombia became the first South American country to join Prince Harry's adaptive sports event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, competing at the 2023 Düsseldorf Games.

During their time in Colombia, Meghan and Harry will also visit 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,” said Márquez, who is the first Black woman to hold the position of vice president, in her statement announcing their visit. “In addition to these meaningful interactions, the Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.”

The visit to Colombia by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex comes ahead of the first World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children, which will take place in the country this November. Meghan and Harry’s nonprofit organization, the Archewell Foundation, has a focus on promoting safer digital environments.

“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,” Márquez said. “It will offer 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.”

Related: Prince Harry Reveals Plans for the Future — and Why He and Meghan Markle 'Look Forward to Traveling More' (Exclusive)

Meghan and Harry aren’t the first members of the royal family to visit Colombia. As recently as November 2023, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, went on a three-day official tour of the nation, where she was received by the vice president. Sophie visited Colombia in support of the United Nations’ Women, Peace and Security Agenda, and she undertook engagements centered around the rights of women and girls and survivors of sexual violence.

A decade ago, King Charles and Queen Camilla also paid an official visit to Colombia (in 2014 when they were known as the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall). Their stop in the country was part of a larger tour of Latin America, and while in Colombia, they undertook engagements in both Bogotá and Cartagena.

The visit by Prince Harry and Meghan to Colombia comes just three months after their trip to Nigeria in May, which marked the couple’s first international trip since relocating to the U.S. in 2020, not long after stepping back as working members of the royal family that same year. While in Nigeria, the couple focused on mental health advocacy and promoting Harry’s Invictus Games, founded 10 years ago in 2014. Both Nigeria and Colombia became a part of the Invictus Games at the same time.

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While in Nigeria earlier this year, Prince Harry hinted at more international trips to come for him and his wife, telling PEOPLE at the time “It is hugely important for us to meet directly with people, supporting our causes and listening, in order to bring about solutions, support, and positive change,” Harry said.

He added “There’s only so much one can do from home or over Zoom, so we look forward to traveling more because the work matters. Whether it’s the Archewell Foundation, Invictus or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work.”

Meghan and Harry’s visit to Colombia could prove a good chance for Meghan in particular to show off her Spanish-speaking skills. The Duchess of Sussex learned the language while interning in the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina after double majoring in theater and international relations at Northwestern University.

“We are confident that their visit will further illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation,” Márquez said.

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