Prince Harry and Meghan began the third day of their quasi-royal tour of Colombia with a visit to a Caribbean drum school.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled from the capital, Bogotá, to the coastal city of Cartagena with the usual heavy security presence.
A police Black Hawk helicopter was scrambled as a drone flew overhead and nearby roads were blocked.
They arrived more than an hour later than expected at the Tambores de Cabildo music school to meet with students and teachers as part of their cultural discovery of the South American country.
Several of his bodyguards carried the now ever-present ballistic briefcases: Kevlar bulletproof shields that are part of the security equipment.
The couple emerged from a Toyota Land Cruiser surrounded by police and soldiers before entering a barn-style building to a drum-beating welcome.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the third day of their visit to Colombia, attending a Caribbean percussion school
Meghan shakes hands while visiting a local music school in Columbia
Harry wore a blue linen shirt, beige trousers and sunglasses for the third day of the visit.
Located on the beach, the venue was surrounded by police and security as Harry and Meghan walked around.
The couple arrived more than an hour later than expected at the Tambores de Cabildo music school (pictured)
Located on the beach, the place was surrounded by police and security, but even though the place was known to everyone, there were hardly any spectators.
Two women shouted “Harry” and he turned to greet them before quickly turning around and walking inside.
As part of security, a black anti-terrorist, anti-nuclear and biological incident police van and an ambulance were parked outside.
Bogotá’s temperate climate was replaced by the humidity of the Caribbean as temperatures rose to 32°C.
Harry wore a blue linen shirt, beige trousers and sunglasses, while Meghan wore a black and white off-shoulder dress.
Prior to their arrival, local media reported that Cartagena Mayor Dumek Turbay had not been invited to the event or to meet the royal couple.
Speaking to W radio: ‘The vice president, Francia Márquez, did not invite me to any of the events, so I will watch the arrival of these illustrious figures to the city on television.
‘I don’t think it’s in the vice president’s heart. They’re going to be in La Boquilla, if I’m not mistaken, what I understand is that they’re going to visit some of the foundations and organizations that work in La Boquilla; they’ll be in the city, I’m going to look for a way to send them my information.
Harry and Meghan on the third day of their visit to Colombia, attending a Caribbean percussion school
Meghan shakes hands while visiting a local music school in Columbia
The couple smile as they enter the Caribbean drum school on the third day of their visit to Colombia.
Third day of Harry and Meghan’s visit to Colombia organized by Vice President Francia Márquez
Meghan was filmed dancing enthusiastically with locals during an engagement on Thursday night.
The next day, Prince Harry was seen dancing during an engagement in Bogotá.
The Prince bent his knees as he moved his hips and rotated his arms and shoulders during his impromptu dance.
‘All distinguished guests who come to the city always bring a gift from the government, on behalf of the people of Cartagena; I am looking for a way to send my gift through the Chancellery.
‘I have not been invited, I have been exempted from the visit.’
Local reports said 3,000 police officers were on duty for the visit to the city and a subsequent trip to the village of San Basilio de Pelanque about 90 minutes away.
The anti-colonial city was founded in the 17th century by freed African slaves and still maintains its cultural ties to the continent through music, food and a variation of the Creole language.
This comes after Prince Harry danced while meeting children during the second day of his trip to Colombia, a day after Meghan was filmed dancing enthusiastically while attending a special cultural event.
The Duke and Duchess were greeted by Colombia’s Vice President and her husband after arriving in the country on Thursday for the start of a four-day tour.
That evening, the couple attended an engagement at the Delia Zapata Olivella National Arts Center (CNA), highlighting the art of Bogotá.
After being welcomed by the Minister of Culture, Juan David Correa, and the Director of the CNA, Xiomara Suescún, they were treated to theatre, music and dance performances. A video showing a dazzled Meghan participating in a dance session with locals went viral.
