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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's next major destination has been revealed. On August 1, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will visit Colombia from August 15 to 18 for their next official international trip. The news was shared by Colombia's Vice President, Francia Márquez, the first Black woman to hold the position.
Márquez stated, "As the Vice President of Colombia and Minister of Equality and Equity, I am pleased to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have graciously accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country." During their visit, Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, will explore Bogotá, Cartagena, and Cali.
"In these vibrant locations, they will engage with leaders, youth, and women representing the hopes and voices of Colombians striving for progress," Márquez added. "They will also experience Colombia's rich heritage."
Their visit precedes the first World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children, scheduled for November in Colombia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, through their Archewell Foundation, emphasize promoting safer digital environments. Márquez noted, "The conference will address creating safer physical and virtual spaces, tackling issues like cyberbullying and online exploitation, and their impact on mental health. The Duke and Duchess, along with the Archewell Foundation, will participate in various related activities."
This announcement comes after the couple's official visit to Nigeria three months ago, where they focused on mental health advocacy and promoted the Invictus Games. The upcoming trip will mark Harry and Meghan's first official visit to Colombia together, representing their Archewell Foundation, which they founded after stepping back from their royal duties in 2020. The foundation aims to uplift communities, enhance online safety, and restore trust in information.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Archewell Foundation supported The People's Vaccine Alliance, a coalition advocating for global vaccine equity, including in Colombia. The couple also collaborated with Global Citizen, helping secure 12.66 million COVID vaccine doses worldwide, according to Archewell's 2020-2022 Impact Report.
While in Colombia, Meghan may showcase her Spanish-speaking skills, which she developed while interning at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Colombia joined the Invictus Games Community of Nations in 2022, debuting in the international adaptive sports event for wounded service personnel and veterans in Düsseldorf, Germany, in September 2023. Prince Harry founded the competition in 2014.
Their recent trip to Nigeria was their first official international journey since relocating to the U.S. The couple was invited by Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff and highlighted the Archewell Foundation's mental health initiatives and the Invictus Games.
Reflecting on their work, Prince Harry emphasized the importance of direct engagement. "Meeting people on the ground is crucial for us to support our causes and foster positive change," he told PEOPLE. He also expressed anticipation for future travel to further their initiatives, stating, "There's only so much one can do from home and over Zoom. We look forward to traveling more because the work matters.
