Meghan Markle and Prince Harry embarked on a four-day tour of Colombia, filled with cultural events and high-profile appearances.
Their trip revealed that this was one of the destinations Princess Diana had wanted to visit before her death.
Despite this being their first visit to this South American country, the couple, especially the Duchess, have held their own in what has been called a “DIY Royal Tour.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have stolen the spotlight with their Colombian tour. Since their departure, all eyes have been on them and their actions have sparked discussions online.
In one of their outings, a fleeting exchange was put under the microscope, and a lip reader revealed that the Duchess had given her husband a curt instruction. The lip reader mentioned what she allegedly said to him, and how he responded, which has prompted concern among social media users.
The couple’s interactions have also caught the attention of body language experts, who have shared surprising and revealing insights into their dynamic during this high-profile trip.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Eventful Trip to Colombia
On August 15, 2024, Markle and Prince Harry touched down in Bogotá, Colombia’s bustling capital city, to commence their highly anticipated four-day tour of the South American country.
The couple’s visit, filled with cultural exchanges and meaningful interactions, began on a warm note following a special invitation from Colombia’s Vice President, Francia Márquez, and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo.
The invitation, motivated by a shared interest in social justice and leadership, set the stage for what was described as a “DIY royal tour.” Upon arrival, the couple was greeted with an itinerary packed with engagements aimed at showcasing Colombia’s rich culture and heritage.
Throughout their tour, the couple displayed a united front, holding hands and exchanging affectionate glances, which didn’t go unnoticed by onlookers. The trip also unearthed a significant historical connection between Colombia and Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.
During a press conference preceding the couple’s visit, Vice President Márquez revealed that Diana had once considered visiting Colombia before her tragic passing in 1997.
“I think that Prince Harry being here today after that dream of his mom’s of visiting this country is an opportunity to show the best of our nation, to show who Colombians are. We are people who in the midst of adversities do everything possible to give the best of ourselves,” Márquez stated.
Márquez further elaborated on the inspiration behind her invitation to the Sussexes. She recounted how watching the Netflix docu-series “Harry & Meghan,” which detailed the couple’s journey and challenges with the British Royal Family, had profoundly impacted her.
“I saw the Netflix series about their life, their story, and that moved me and motivated me to say that this is a woman who deserves to come to our country and tell her story, and her exchange will undoubtedly be an empowerment to so many women in the world,” Márquez explained.
Her admiration for Markle’s resilience and advocacy played a key role in organizing the visit, which also aimed to foster collaboration on pressing social issues like cyberbullying and online discrimination.
The Vice President and the royal couple shared a common goal of empowering women and promoting digital safety. Márquez expressed her desire to join forces with Markle and Prince Harry, especially given their work through their foundation, the Archewell Foundation.
Colombia’s participation in the 2023 Invictus Games was another important connection, marking the nation as the first South American country to join. The Invictus Games is Prince Harry’s international sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel.
The trip marked Prince Harry and Markle’s first official visit to Colombia, and their itinerary included stops in Cartagena and Cali. Their visit came at a crucial time, as Colombia was preparing to host the first-ever World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children in November.
The Archewell Foundation’s focus on child protection aligned with the conference’s objectives, and it was expected that the couple’s involvement would further highlight the importance of safeguarding children’s rights worldwide. Colombia has rolled out the red carpet for the Sussexes, offering them a warm and culturally immersive welcome.
Lip Reader Reveals Markle’s Alleged Sharp Order to Prince Harry
During their highly publicized arrival in Colombia, Markle exuded effortless style, stepping out in a chic Veronica Beard collared halter neck-styled navy vest paired with matching pants from the brand. Complementing her look, Prince Harry opted for a dark-colored suit, tailored to perfection.
However, it wasn’t just their fashion choices and public displays of affection that captured attention. As the couple emerged from a building to enthusiastic applause, professional lip-reader Nicola Hickling picked up on a subtle exchange between Markle and Prince Harry.
According to Hickling, Markle gave her husband a concise yet firm instruction as she said, “Hand,” to which Prince Harry swiftly responded, “Here you go,” before complying with her request. Since sharing her insight, social media users have given their take on the situation.
“Poor Harry,” a social media user shared. “He should have moved away with Chelsea instead. She seemed to love and respect him a lot more…..hence why she left him because she knew she couldn’t live the royal family life and didn’t want him to give it up,” another said.
Other social media users questioned the trip in its entirety, with one person typing, “London is too dangerous so they go to Colombia? Really? Poor Harry [has] totally lost the plot.”
Body Language Experts Weigh In on Markle and Prince Harry’s Interactions During Their Tour
Kicking off their tour, Markle and Prince Harry enjoyed a traditional Colombian snack of pandebono—a cheesy bread treat—along with freshly brewed coffee at Vice President Márquez’s residence.
According to body language expert Judi James, Prince Harry’s demeanor upon arrival indicated a conscious effort to downplay his royal status. James noted that the Duke appeared to purposefully take a backseat during their interactions, allowing his wife to shine.
“Harry’s body language on their arrival and as they greet their host suggests some status-lowering, as though he is keen to avoid pulling royal rank here,” James explained. She emphasized that Prince Harry’s reserved expressions and non-performative behavior pointed to his intention to let Markle take the spotlight.
James further observed how the Duchess’s confident and poised body language contrasted with her husband’s more subdued approach. While Markle greeted the vice president with warmth and familiarity, Prince Harry’s introduction was more reserved.
“Meghan greets the host warmly, using non-verbal signals that would normally imply a long, fond friendship,” James remarked.
Markle’s extended hold on the handshake and her fond smile gave the impression that she was delighted to facilitate the introduction between Prince Harry and Márquez, almost as if she was playing the role of the connector.
On the other hand, Prince Harry responded with a respectful bow, signaling deference as he engaged in a two-handed handshake with Márquez. The couple’s public interactions later in the day provided further insight into their dynamic.
Stepping out to greet fans, Markle adopted what James described as a “Hey, I’m here!” pose, exuding confidence and star power. Her broad, symmetrical smile and composed stance reflected her comfort in the limelight.
According to James, Markle’s demeanor suggested she was fully embracing her role as a public figure. Harry’s body language, on the other hand, hinted at a disconnect between his emotions and his wife’s.
Later, the Sussexes attended a performance at the Delia Zapata National Centre for the Arts, where Markle’s vibrant pink dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz symbolized her connection to the local culture.
The couple sat with Vice President Márquez as they enjoyed the show. The Duchess of Sussex was seen chatting animatedly with Vice President Márquez, pointing out details in the dancers’ costumes, before shaking hands with the performers at the end of the showcase.
The couple also clapped and engaged with other guests. However, Prince Harry’s discomfort was apparent to those closely observing. James noted that, despite his royal background, he seemed less at ease than his wife.
“At times, he was actively laughing and chatting using animated gesticulation, but there were also ‘flash’ moments when his smile dropped and his facial expression looked almost dour in comparison to his wife’s,” James noted.
The expert added that Prince Harry’s constant fidgeting and shuffling suggested a level of anxiety, starkly different from Markle’s unwavering poise and elegance.
Former BBC Royal Correspondent Michael Cole also offered his analysis, further highlighting how Markle’s confident demeanor contrasted with Prince Harry’s hesitant posture.
Speaking to GB News, Cole commented, “If you look at Meghan, she’s there, she comes out, she’s got the suit, she’s got the smile, she is on point, and she’s doing everything that she could have done had she stayed within the bosom of the Royal Family, and doing it rather well.”
In contrast, Cole noted that Prince Harry’s body language reflected a sense of distance and hesitation. While he managed to smile at times, it was evident that Markle was the more enthusiastic participant.
Cole’s observations reinforced the idea that Markle appeared to be leading the way during their public appearances. “She seems to be running the show,” Cole added, referencing the moment when the Duchess instructed the Duke to hold her hand.
As their tour continued, these contrasting body language cues became a recurring theme, sparking ongoing discussions about the evolving dynamics between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry during their international engagements.
Despite the focus on their body language and actions, Cole praised the couple for wanting to do something positive. He said, “Obviously they want to do good. There’s an awful lot of good that needs doing in the world, and if they can do some, jolly good for them.”
The spotlight on their behavior underscores how every gesture and exchange between the couple continues to fuel public fascination and discussion.