Meghan Markle to give speech on ‘Black Women and Power’ during trip to Colombia with Prince Harry
The couple completed the third day of their royal tour by visiting the traditional Afro-Caribbean village of San Basilio de Palenque.
The trip to the village involved a half-hour helicopter ride from Cartagena and then a 15-minute drive along a bumpy road lined with soldiers and at one point a tank.
To combat the 30C heat and humidity, Meghan dressed in a white linen skirt, a sleeveless blouse and a panama hat. Harry wore a light blue linen shirt and cream trousers and looked uncomfortable in the heat, with sweat stains under his arms.
They were greeted with a warm welcome as locals clapped, cheered and waved at the couple who were accompanied by their usual security team.
Before his arrival, some locals said they hoped Harry would use the visit to apologize for the British crown’s role in the colonial slave trade.
The Duke of Sussex has previously spoken out about the “unjust” system that allowed “enslaved people” to generate wealth for the Crown.
However, he has not apologized for his family’s role in the oppressive system.
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia, on the third day of their visit
Meghan wore a white linen skirt, a sleeveless blouse and a panama hat, while Harry wore a blue linen shirt.
Harry and Meghan are seen on the streets of San Basilio de Palenque during their visit to Colombia
Meghan and Harry walk through the streets of San Basilio de Palenque in Colombia
Members of a children’s choir wave as they await the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan
Harry and Meghan held hands as they walked through the town square, where stalls selling traditional crafts had been set up, while chatting animatedly with onlookers.
The town was founded by freed African slaves almost 300 years ago and has been described as a “little corner of Africa”.
The stop was especially meaningful for Meghan, as when she visited Nigeria in May she said she was “43 percent Nigerian.”
On Sunday, the quasi-royal tour will end with a trip to the city of Cali, where the couple will attend a music festival and meet local youth.
Meghan’s speech in Cali will focus on ‘Afro women and power’ and will take place in the city’s main theatre.
In the town of San Basilio de Palenque, local rapper Andris Padilla Julio, 32, performed for the Duke and Duchess after they toured the area.
Known by the rap name Afroneto, Padilla is the creator of a style known as RFP or Rap Palanquero Folklórico.
He said: ‘I spoke to Harry, his wife and Francia Marquez about our plan to build a performing arts centre here.
‘I gave them a document with what we want to do and now all they need to do is put up the money we need.
“They said they would help me. Harry complimented me on my workflow and my outfit.”
Josefa Hernandez, 38, a contractor for Colombia’s Ministry of Culture who acted as master of ceremonies for the visit, said: ‘This visit has been very symbolic for us.
‘The Duke and Duchess broke protocol to thank us for opening the doors of our community to them.
‘They told us that they understood the importance of San Basilio de Palenque for the history of Colombia and the world.
The couple was surrounded by people as they walked through the streets of San Basilio de Palenque.
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia
Crowds formed around Harry and Meghan as they arrived in the area on the third day of their visit.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk through the streets on the third day of their visit
‘First they visited the San Basilio de Palenque cultural center where Franca Márquez spoke and the national anthem of Colombia and the Palenque anthem were performed.
‘A local wise woman performed a ritual predicting prosperity for the Duke, Duchess and Vice President.
‘Then a local historian gave them a tour and explained the history of how the city was created.’
Colombia has the third-largest population of African descent after Nigeria and Brazil and the trio including Vice President Francia Marquez is the first black woman to hold the post. In a 2014 speech to Amnesty International, Ms Marquez said Afro-Colombian women “must keep going”, despite the risks they face.
She believed that women had a key role to play because their “caring instinct” drives them to protect not only their children, but also their land, the environment and their communities.
“We need to feminize politics and fill humanity with maternal love. War has always been driven by machismo, by patriarchy and by business between men. I think these men should stop being so aggressive in life and think about feminizing themselves.”
The Petronio Alvarez music festival, which Harry and Meghan will attend on Sunday, is the country’s largest Afro-Colombian celebration and takes place every August.
Crowds formed around the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they arrived.
Meghan and Harry were accompanied by security as they walked through the streets.
Harry and Meghan take part in a drum class led by Colombian students
Today in the village, Harry and Meghan enjoyed a singing and dancing performance by locals dressed in traditional African-themed costumes.
Unfortunately for the couple, sunset was approaching and they only had about twenty minutes in the square before setting off in their convoy.
They stopped briefly to admire a statue of St. Basil’s founder, Benkos Bioho.
After freeing themselves from their Spanish rulers, Bioho, originally from present-day Guinea Bissau, established the UNESCO-listed town as a “liberation enclave” for emancipated slaves.
Access was strictly limited and only the Sussex-approved media team was allowed near the couple.
A spokesperson for the Vice Presidency explained: “The event was a special meeting to reconnect with African roots; to learn about the experiences and living conditions of the black, Afro-descendant, Raizal and Palanquero peoples of the region and to strengthen human and cultural development programs that promote the guarantee of cultural and collective rights in this territory.”
Speaking at the village, Meghan said: “We understand very well the importance and meaning of what this village is, it has become very clear to us. We understand what Palenque represents for Colombia and for the world, we thank you for sharing with us everything you showed us.”
Prince Harry told the crowd: “It feels like we’ve seen the whole country already.”
He added: ‘What we are seeing here is what a community is all about, don’t forget the message of the Vice President, you are stronger together, you are stronger united as one.’
Harry and Megan sit together at the Cabildo Drum School
Harry and Meghan applaud during a performance at the La Boquilla drum school in Cartagena
Earlier, Harry and Meghan had kicked off the third day of their quasi-royal tour of Colombia with a visit to a Caribbean drum school.
The Sussexes, along with Ms Marquez and her husband, took part in a student-led drum lesson, followed by a performance by some of the locals that had all the VIPs on their feet.
The school’s director, Rafael Ramos, was ecstatic to see the Duchess’ reaction to the performances, saying: “I love seeing Meghan’s big, big smile. I can tell she’s excited!”
Following the performance, Ms. Marquez delivered an impassioned speech about the inherent importance of tradition when it comes to preserving Colombian heritage.
Addressing the crowd, which included members of her own family who accompanied her for the day, she expressed that cities like Cartagena represent the heart of Colombian culture and how the art of drumming in particular symbolizes the freedom of black communities around the world.
She also acknowledged that part of her decision to invite the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Colombia was because she sees them as a joint symbol of resistance and two vital voices against injustice.
“The Duke and Duchess came to Colombia… this is Colombia. Here are the roots of our ancestors and our parents,” said Vice President Marquez. “A community like this cannot be displaced.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled from the capital, Bogotá, to the coastal city of Cartagena with the usual heavy security presence.