Harry and Meghan reveal what they’re giving to Colombia after controversial faux-royal tour
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed that they donated a number of drum sets, a learning environment, and upgrades to a ‘socio-emotional gym’ to the people of Colombia following their quasi-royal tour.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced the gifts along with a new video montage of the trip, showing them visiting a number of spots alongside Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez.
The couple’s statement highlighted their goal to ‘show up and do good, no matter where we are in the world’ through their charity, The Archewell Foundation.
The drums will go to Escuela Tambores de Cabildo, where they were seen enjoying a lesson.
The couple will also donate funds to be used to upgrade a ‘secure environment for local children to explore, learn, and connect in San Basilio de Palenque’.
They are also expanding the ‘socio-emotional gym program’ at the Colegio La Giralda school.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a number of donations to conclude their Colombia tour this week, including providing school supplies to young students across the country
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The couple were invited to the nation by Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez (center right) for their faux-royal tour
Top moments from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Colombian tour
The three donations are intended to ‘make strides toward a more equitable and compassionate world’, the royals said.
‘Each of these initiatives underscores our commitment to making a difference and supporting programs that uplift and empower individuals and communities.’
Their contributions to the learning environment at San Basilio de Palenque will aim to provide local children with resources to allow them to go to school and learn safely.
And the expansion of a ‘socio-emotional gym’ at Colegio La Giralda aim to promote core childhood learning skills like conflict resolution and emotional resilience.
Although the couple were hit with accusations that their huge security bills cost the country over $1.5 million, Colombian officials have insisted the pair financed the whole trip themselves along with funding from international agencies.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit Cartagena, Colombia on August 17, one of three major Colombian cities they stopped at during the quasi-royal tour
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Prince Harry joined his wife Meghan on stage after she spoke at an event focused on empowering Afro-Colombian women
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Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia, on Saturday, August 17
Meghan and Harry kick off final day of ‘quasi-royal’ Colombian tour
In their newly released clip, Harry and Meghan showed previously unseen footage from their voyage.
The footage showed the couple dancing with local children, addressing a huge crowd, and visiting numerous culturally significant locations around Colombia.
They began their trip in Bogota alongside the vice president, where they reportedly dined on a traditional Colombian cheese bread named pan de bono.
As part of their efforts through the Archewell Foundation, the couple spent a significant amount of time with local schoolchildren and immersed themselves in the Colombian culture.
During one trip to a school, Meghan – in Spanish – reportedly compared one of the students to the couple’s five-year-old son Archie, telling him: ‘You’re the same age as my son, Archie!’
VP of Colombia says Harry and Meghan’s Netflix series ‘moved’ her
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On their trip, the couple spent a significant amount of time with local schoolchildren and immersed themselves in the Colombian culture
Harry and Meghan dance and play with children during school visit
But their trip was not entirely received with open arms, as local media accused their quasi-royal tour of costing Colombia upwards of $1.5 million through security expenses.
The £375,000 a day cost involved 3,000 police and soldiers, plus helicopters, sniffer dogs, bomb disposal units and an ever-present guard armed with a ballistic briefcase or bullet proof shield just in case of a sniper attack.
But the security cost to a country facing huge socio-economic problems – a third live below the poverty line – has enraged many, including the security chief of the city of Cali council where the couple ended their tour on Sunday.
Writing on X under a report on the security cost by CW Noticias, Andres Escobar, said: ‘Billions that could have been used to expand coverage of children’s canteens, pay salaries of community mothers, seed capital for Afro communities or adapt sports venues practically in ruins.’
After the accusations were made, Harry and Meghan said they financed their own travel expenses, alongside some funding from international agencies.
El Pais, a Spanish outlet reported that the Colombian Ministry of Equality and Equity said: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex financed their trip and that of their team with their own resources.’
