Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Set to Embark on Official Visit to Colombia

PHOTO: KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY

"It's so important to us to meet people face to face, support our causes, and listen," Prince Harry previously told PEOPLE

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 would be traveling to Colombia for their next official international trip. The date for the visit has not been released.

The news was shared by Francia Márquez, Colombia's vice president and the first Black woman to hold the position. Márquez said in a statement: "As Vice President of Colombia and Minister of Equality and Justice, I am delighted to announce that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have graciously accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country."

Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, will visit Bogotá, Cartagena and Cali.

"In these vibrant locations, they will have a fantastic opportunity to engage with leaders, young people and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to moving forward," said Márquez. "In addition to these meaningful interactions, the Duke and Duchess will experience Colombia's rich heritage."

Prince Harry and Meghan's visit comes ahead of the first ever Global Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence against Children, which will take place in Colombia in November. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Archewell Foundation focuses on promoting safer digital environments.

Márquez said: "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 to countries around the world. During their visit, the Duke and Duchess, and the Archewell Foundation, will take part in a number of activities related to these important topics." 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at State Governor House in Lagos, Nigeria on May 12, 2024. KOLA SULAIMON/AFP VIA GETTY

The announcement follows the couple’s official visit to Nigeria three months ago, where they focused on mental health advocacy and promoting the Invictus Games.

Their upcoming trip to South America will be Harry and Meghan’s first official visit to Colombia together, representing their Archewell Foundation. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex founded the non-profit after stepping back from their royal roles in the UK in 2020, with a focus on uplifting communities, building a better online world and restoring trust in information.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Archewell Foundation has invested in The People’s Vaccine Alliance, a global coalition of more than 100 organisations working to make COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments available to everyone. Archewell’s contribution funds advocacy campaigns for vaccine equity in countries including Colombia.

The couple has also worked with Global Citizen on other initiatives around vaccine access, and the advocacy has helped secure 12.66 million doses of COVID vaccines worldwide, according to the Archewell Foundation’s 2020-2022 Impact Report.

While in Colombia, Meghan may have shown off her Spanish-speaking skills. The Duchess of Sussex learned the language while interning at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after double majoring in theater and international studies at Northwestern University.

Colombia also has ties to Prince Harry’s Invictus Games. The country became the first South American nation to join the Community of Nations Invictus Games in 2022. Colombia made its debut in the sixth round of the international adaptive sports tournament for wounded, injured and ill personnel and veterans in Düsseldorf, Germany, in September 2023.

Prince Harry, a former captain in the British Army, created the competition in 2014, and Colombia joined the Invictus movement at the same time as Nigeria, which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a significant visit to in May.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (center) pose for a photo during the Mixed Team Gold Medal match between Team Colombia and Team Poland at the Invictus Games on September 15, 2023 in Duesseldorf, Germany. DEAN MOUHTAROPOULOS/GETTY

Prince Harry and Meghan traveled to Nigeria in the spring for their first official international trip since moving to the U.S. and settling in Meghan’s home state of California. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were invited by Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, the country’s highest-ranking military officer.

The itinerary highlighted the Archewell Foundation’s mental health initiatives for young people and promoted the Invictus Games, which the African nation is participating in for the first time in Düsseldorf. The trip was particularly memorable for the Duchess of Sussex, who previously learned through ancestry testing that she is 43% Nigerian.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria on May 10, 2024. ANDREW ESIEBO/GETTY

Speaking to PEOPLE about the three-day tour, Prince Harry told PEOPLE that making personal connections on the ground means everything to him and Meghan in their ongoing work.

“It’s really important for us to meet people face-to-face, support our causes and listen, to bring solutions, support and positive change,” Prince Harry said.

Looking ahead, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also anticipate more travel opportunities to advance their initiatives.

"There is so little that can be done from home and via Zoom, so we look forward to travelling more because the work is important. Whether it's the Archewell Foundation, Invictus or any of our other causes, there will always be an excuse to meet the people who are at the heart of our work," Prince Harry said./people.com