Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have kicked off their tour with a flurry of activities, including school visits and enjoying vibrant performances.
The day began with a breakfast meeting with Vice President Francia Marquez and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo. The couple savoured coffee, tea, and traditional pan de bono (Colombian cheese bread), followed by an exchange of welcome gifts.
Meghan, donning a navy Veronica Beard summer suit, and Harry, in a smart suit, then visited the Colegio Cultura Popular, a children's school in Bogota. They were given a guided tour and informational session by the school's head, Leonel Umana Parra, and student Jose David.
Later, the Sussexes were seen tapping their feet to the rhythm of a music and dance group outside the Delia Zapata National Centre for the Arts. Meghan, dressed in a vibrant pink patterned dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, sat between Harry and Ms Marquez, her curled hair resting on her shoulders.
The royal couple were spotted engaging in conversation as they applauded the performers along with other guests, before posing for photos, the Mirror reports.
However, body language expert Judi James believes it was during this performance that Harry displayed signs of discomfort.
Speaking to The Mirror, she observed: "Despite his life-long induction into royal behaviour it was Meghan who managed to sustain a perfect royal smile at this performance while Harry's expressions and body language fluctuated.
"When he sat watching there was a lot of pulling and fiddling with his clothes and some foot-shuffling to suggest awkwardness or anxiety while Meghan beside him adopted an elegant pose that didn't waver."
Earlier in the day, Meghan dazzled in a £598 Orlinda vest by designer Veronica Beard. However, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out to meet their admirers, Judi believes they were both 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 symmetric smile looking like a 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 totally in her element, almost as though this is a moment she has been waiting for all her life. Her shoulders are splayed and her elbows tucked into her torso as she carries her large designer bag in one hand and allows her royal husband to tow her along with the other."
However, when it comes to Harry, Judi suggests his expression was more hesitant, indicating complex emotions about the journey.
"Harry walks ahead in less of a performative mode. He forms a polite smile but his expression is a little more tempered and complex. His eye expression looks almost wary which could be natural given that he is a royal without the kind of protocols and even safety nets the Firm will have when they are on proper royal tours."
Indeed, Harry has openly expressed his concerns about his family's security and refuses to travel to the UK after his taxpayer-funded protection was removed following his move to the US.
Security was tight today outside the children's school, Colegio Cultura Popular, in Bogota, where they were given a tour and information session by the institution's head, Leonel Umana Parra, and student Jose David.
Heavily-armed soldiers were visible around the perimeter, while armed police, officers on motorbikes and suited security guards were also present.
Meghan and Harry have been invited to Colombia by Vice President Marquez, where they have a busy itinerary that includes meeting with leaders and discussing cyberbullying concerns.
The royal couple will stay in Bogota on Friday to engage with students about emotional well-being in education. They are also set to attend a luncheon hosted by Vice President Marquez and meet with Colombian competitors of the Invictus Games.
Colombia made history as the first South American nation to participate in Prince Harry's sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans at the Dusseldorf Invictus Games in September 2023.
This visit marks the first joint trip to Colombia for Prince Harry and Meghan, during which they will also tour the cities of Cartagena and Cali.
Their journey precedes the inaugural World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children, scheduled to take place in Colombia in November. The couple's Archewell Foundation is committed to promoting safer digital environments.
Marquez stated: "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 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."
