Meghan & Harry confirm new ‘royal’ tour after heaping praise on ‘memorable and special’ Nigeria visit
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have confirmed a new “royal” tour just months after their “memorable” Nigeria visit.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been personally invited to spend a few days in Colombia by the country’s Vice President Francia Márquez.
It is understood they will jet over in November when their schedule will include trips to capital Bogotá, and Pacific regions Cartagena and Cali.
The pair are set to “experience the rich heritage of Colombia” in a meaningful visit shortly before a conference on ending violence against children is held there.
Francia Márquez today said of the planned trip: “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.
“Their visit comes at a particularly significant time, as it precedes the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, to be held in Colombia this November.
“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.”
Vice President Márquez added she is “confident” the Sussexes’ visit will “illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation”.
It will be Harry and Meghan’s second “faux royal tour” after visiting Nigeria in May.
The couple spent three days in the West African country, meeting with locals and leaders.
While there, they unveiled a partnership between their Archewell Foundation and the non-profit Giants of Africa, which aims to empower young people through sport.
The couple soon jetted back to the United States after they watched a charity exhibition match at Lagos Polo Club.
Prior to that, Harry, 39, had enjoyed a game of basketball with a group of Nigerian youngsters.
Inside Sussexes' trip to Nigeria
THE Duke and Duchess are spending three days in Nigeria to promote the Invictus Games.
The Sussexes will be taken to a hotel when they first touch down today, then visit the Light Academy, a school in nearby Wuse, before meeting defence leaders and visiting injured soldiers.
Tomorrow Harry’s set to field a team during a seated volleyball match played by Nigeria’s Invictus team, before he and Meghan meet with more soldiers and their families.
That afternoon Meghan will host a Women in Leadership event with Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian-American economist who is director general of the World Trade Organisation.
Then, on Sunday, the Sussexes will head along to a basketball clinic that promotes youth getting into the sport, enjoy a cultural reception and visit a polo fundraiser.