Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being protected by a “ring of steel” security detail as they continue their four-day tour of Colombia.
Having landed in the country’s capital of Bogotá on Thursday, the pair wasted little time in greeting Francia Marquez, Colombia’s vice president, where they enjoyed lunch and discussed their goals for the visit including championing online safety.
Despite the seemingly relaxed first encounter, the Sussexes landed in a country going through some political turmoil with the government accused in some quarters of using the former working royals as “political pawns” to obscure a string of corruption allegations.
In light of this, the duke and duchess were reported to have been assigned an “immense security presence” with a “14 car and police van convoys”, according to a reporter covering the trip.
As the couple began their second day of engagements at a school, their security detail was seen protecting the couple and the vice president with a bulletproof briefcase.
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s trip comes as the timeline for the Princess of Wales’s ongoing cancer treatment has been revealed.
She will continue to receive “preventative chemotherapy” over the summer to treat an undisclosed form of the disease before spending some months recovering
“The direction is positive [but] there will not be great change [in terms of her public appearances] and no one is giving a timescale for her return,” the Daily Mail’s royal editor Rebecca English said.
Key Points
- Harry’s chief of staff quits after three months
- Prince and Princess of Wales congratulate Team GB in video
- Harry and Meghan’s Colombia tour dubbed ‘a distraction’
- Queen Elizabeth’s flying habits revealed
Colombian residents dub Harry and Meghan’s tour ‘a distraction’
15:25
Athena Stavrou
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s tour of Colombia has been described as a “distraction” from the country’s problems by locals.
Harry and Meghan arrived on Thursday for a visit that will “illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation”.
“I’m sure Meghan and Harry mean well, but everyone here is talking about how obviously they are being manipulated,” a Colombian lawyer told the Mail on Sunday.
“Of course, their star power will be used to bring attention to poor people and certain areas of culture in Colombia but the reality is the Colombian government has been drowning in scandal since it came in two years ago. They need something to appease people at home and make them look good abroad.”
The couple will have full security on the trip to Colombia, where issues like kidnapping are rife.
King Charles ‘still unwell’ despite return to duty - ICYMI
14:30
Athena Stavrou
King Charles is reportedly “still unwell” despite making an impressive return to duty after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
According to an insider, his appearances are being “fantastically well managed to give the impression that everything is fine.”
“Charles is doing a magnificent job fighting his cancer but he is still unwell,” a source told The Daily Beast.
“It is being fantastically well managed to give the impression that everything is fine, but it is noticeable to those of us who are aware of such things that the engagements are shorter and carefully scheduled; for example, he sometimes arrives by helicopter at the last minute before being choppered away and presumably collapsing in an armchair at home.”
Prince Harry takes thinly veiled swipe at Elon Musk over social media misinformation in wake of riots
13:30
Athena Stavrou
Prince Harry took a veiled swipe at Elon Musk over the rapid spread of misinformation on social media in the wake of far-right riots across the UK.
The Duke of Sussex said “those with positions of influence” should take more responsibility for tackling lies online and warned “social cohesion as we know it has completely broken down”.
Read the full story here:
In pictures: Harry and Meghan’s second day of Colombia tour
13:00
Athena Stavrou
Harry and Meghan tour Colombia with ‘ring of steel’ security
12:16
Athena Stavrou
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being protected by a “ring of steel” security detail as they continue their four-day tour of Colombia.
Having landed in the country’s capital of Bogotá on Thursday, the pair wasted little time in greeting Francia Marquez, Colombia’s vice president, where they enjoyed lunch and discussed their goals for the visit including championing online safety.
Despite the seemingly relaxed first encounter, the Sussexes landed in a country going through some political turmoil with the government accused in some quarters of using the former working royals as “political pawns” to obscure a string of corruption allegations.
In light of this, the duke and duchess were reported to have been assigned an “immense security presence” with a “14 car and police van convoys”, according to a reporter covering the trip.
As the couple began their second day of engagements at a school, their security detail was seen protecting the couple and the vice president with a bulletproof briefcase.
Harry and Meghan meet Korean War heroes in Colombia
11:12
Athena Stavrou
On their second day of their quasi royal tour of Colombia, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met with Korean War veterans.
Harry joined a game of volleyball with Colombian Invictus Games athletes in Bogota before sitting down to meet the veterans.
The couple toured the Centro de Rehabilitacion Inclusiva’s art hall which featured artwork created by Invictus athletes. Meghan was presented with a painting, hand-knitted animals and also a beaded necklace with matching earrings from some of the artists, while the duke was awarded a commemorative plaque from the Ministry of National Defence Veterans.
Prince Andrew welcomed back into royal fold
15:53
Athena Stavrou
Prince Andrew has been invited back into the royal fold after being disgraced for his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke of York, 64, will join his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, daughters Princess Eugenie and Beatrice and the wider royal family on their summer break at Balmoral.
“Andrew has hardly left Royal Lodge since Christmas so he’s very much looking forward to getting away with the rest of the family at Balmoral,” a source told The Express.
“He’s turned into a bit of a recluse, so the girls are hoping that some nice family time with [his grandchildren] will help cheer him up a bit and bring him out of his shell.”
CEO of Colombian school describes ‘emotional’ moment during Meghan and Harry visit
10:27
Athena Stavrou
The CEO of a Colombian school has described an “emotional” moment during Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the Colegio La Giralda on the outskirts of the South American nation’s capital Bogota.
“ It was so special for us to have Harry and Meghan come and visit us and the staff and children were all very excited,” School CEO Diana Basto said.
“It was a lovely experience to have them here. They visited various parts of the school including the memorial museum section where they learned about people who have been killed in previous conflicts in Colombia’s history.
“It was emotional for them and from their to the kindergarten and then finally onto the garden where they helped plant two trees.
“There was music and dancing as they went around the school and they joined in with the dancing. Then Harry had a go at the punching bag in the gym.
“They were super excited when they were given the presents and because the children in the kindergarten are the same age as Archie.”
Harry joins in volleyball game during visit to Invictus Games athletes
09:27
Athena Stavrou
The Duke of Sussex joined in a game of volleyball on a visit to Colombian Invictus Games athletes in Bogota.
Harry and the Duchess of Sussex met athletes training for the Games, which were founded by the duke, during a visit to the Centro de Rehabilitacion Inclusiva on the second day of their visit to Colombia’s capital.
The couple were welcomed by military officials before touring the centre’s swimming pool, rock climbing wall gym and rehabilitation facilities, chatting with the athletes about their exercise programmes.
“It’s amazing to see how many people can come together to form one team,” Harry said to an Invictus team member while touring the centre’s cardiovascular room, Meghan saying the athletes were “all so incredible to watch.
They were accompanied by Colombia’s Vice President Francia Marquez and her partner Rafael Yerney Pinillo, who joined Harry in taking part in the volleyball match.
Harry and Meghan speak Spanish to schoolchildren on Colombia tour
08:42
Athena Stavrou
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spoken to schoolchildren in Spanish as their four-day tour of Colombia continues.
Harry and Meghan took part in an art session and planted trees during a visit to a school in the capital, Bogota.
At the Colegio La Giralda, the couple’s arrival was celebrated with performances from students who wore traditional Colombian dress and performed cumbia songs with live percussion.
While visiting a nursery class, Meghan told a student in Spanish: “You’re the same age as my son Archie.”
Harry also practised his Spanish, asking students their names and ages before the children performed a song and gave the couple gifts.
Harry and Meghan excluded from ‘happy family occasion’
08:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not invited to join the royal family at Balmoral, it has been revealed.
However, it is unlikely that the couple, who are currently touring Colombia, would have accepted an invitation after Harry recently said the UK was too dangerous for Meghan to visit.
A source told The Express: “Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not be joining the rest of the Royal Family. “The King is keen for it to be a happy family occasion which will see members of the family come together for just over a week to discuss plans for the future and to unwind.”
Prince Andrew welcomed back into royal fold
04:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Andrew has been invited back into the royal fold after being disgraced for his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke of York, 64, will join his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, daughters Princess Eugenie and Beatrice and the wider royal family on their summer break at Balmoral.
“Andrew has hardly left Royal Lodge since Christmas so he’s very much looking forward to getting away with the rest of the family at Balmoral,” a source told The Express.
“He’s turned into a bit of a recluse, so the girls are hoping that some nice family time with [his grandchildren] will help cheer him up a bit and bring him out of his shell.”
Harry and Meghan ‘have done something very important'
02:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been praised for doing “something very important” with their unofficial tours.
Harry and Meghan are currently spending four days in Colombia to promote issues including online safety and mental health awareness.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! magazine: “So far it has all the hallmarks of a quasi-royal tour... An official welcome from the VP (a slight downgrade on a presidential welcome), a cultural event to follow... And then the serious business of the discussions about online dangers for children.
“It’s all too easy to poke fun at them for doing this semi-royal stuff after they fled the life of working royals in the UK, but they are making us talk about the dangers of the internet to our children and looking for solutions. And that has to be applauded.”
The expert added: “We don’t have to publicise what they do or say…. But the fact is they are still making headlines and - for the most part – they are using their platform to improve the lives of others.”
Meghan Markle debuts ‘regal’ look in Colombia
Saturday 17 August 2024 00:00
Emma Guinness
The Duchess of Sussex showcased “a clever nod to her royal roots” with her choice of outfit and makeup on the first day of her and Prince Harry’s Colombia tour.
Makeup artist Laura Kay told FEMAIL: “Meghan Markle’s latest look marks a distinctive evolution from her Hollywood glam days that she used to love to a more refined, royal aesthetic.
“Yesterday, at Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata, she appeared to be embracing a more sophisticated, mature, and elegant vibe.
“What first catches the eye is her shift to fresh, peachy, and pink tones, giving her complexion a regal feel. It’s a noticeable move from her past bronzed and dewy, Kardashian-inspired look – also perhaps a clever nod or reminder of her royal roots.”
Prince Harry takes aim at Elon Musk
Friday 16 August 2024 22:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry appears to have sent a thinly veiled insult to Elon Musk in the wake of the recent UK riots.
While discussing the impact of online misinformation in Colombia, the Duke of Sussex said “those with positions of influence” need to take more responsibility for what they say online.
“What happens online within a matter of minutes transfers to the streets. People are acting on information that isn’t true,” the duke said.
‘The Crown’ writer says he ‘isn’t done’ with royal family
Friday 16 August 2024 20:00
Emma Guinness
Peter Morgan has said that he “isn’t done” with telling the royal family’s story even though his hit series The Crown has come to an end.
When asked by The Hollywood Reporter if he stands by his decision to end the timeline at King Charles’s 2005 wedding to Queen Camilla, he said: “I cannot imagine any circumstances in which I’d want to go further into the present, as it were, but at the same time, I don’t think I’m done with the subject.
“I might find some way of coming into it from a different way. If you go back in time, you always have that wonderful opportunity for metaphor.
“You can find a story in the past and tell that, and it [will] actually be a story about the present, but in camouflage. And that, I think, might be a more elegant way forward.
“To move forward from where I left the show off at the moment feels too soon.”
Prince Harry snubbed Buckingham Palace stay on recent UK visit
Friday 16 August 2024 17:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry was reportedly offered the chance to stay in Buckingham Palace on his most recent trip to the UK.
An insider said this would have likely allowed him to see his father, King Charles, who he last saw in February following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis.
A source told The Times: “I don’t know what more the King could have done. He offered Harry to stay at Buckingham Palace but it seems even that wasn’t good enough.
“It was far from clear what the duke’s plans were. When it came to it there was no space in the King’s diary in between treatment and other scheduled events.”
“It makes Harry’s decision to stay in a hotel all the more strange when the Palace would naturally offer all the security you could wish for.”
Harry and Meghan to meet with Colombian Invictus team today
Friday 16 August 2024 15:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will meet with the Colombian Invictus team today.
This will undoubtedly be of huge personal significance for Harry, 39, as it is the only participating team from Latin America.
The sporting event, founded in 2014, celebrates the abilities of wounded, sick and injured service people.
Prince Harry says ‘information integrity is a fundamental right'
Friday 16 August 2024 14:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry has stressed his commitment to “information integrity” at a summit about online safety in Colombia.
“With the Archewell Foundation, me and my wife believe that information integrity is a fundamental right,” Prince Harry said.
“We should model how we want our kids to be raised and for the world in which we raise them,” Meghan added. “It doesn’t matter where you live. It doesn’t matter who you are. Either you personally or someone you know is a victim to what’s happening online. And that’s something we can actively work on every day to remedy.”
The couple’s statement comes after they recently expressed their concerns for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet as they grow up in the digital world.
It also comes after Prince Harry recently said he will not bring Meghan to the UK because he fears “a knife or acid attack” inspired by negative tabloid stories.
Colombian vice president ‘moved’ by Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary
Friday 16 August 2024 13:00
Emma Guinness
The vice president of Colombia was inspired to invite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to the country after watching their Netflix documentary about their departure from the royal family.
Referring to Meghan specifically, Francia Marquez, the first black woman to ever hold her office, said: “I saw the Netflix series about their life, their story and that moved me and motivated me to say that this is a woman who deserves to come to our country and tell her story and her exchange will undoubtedly be an empowerment to so many women in the world.”
The pair were photographed embracing after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in the capital of Bogotá yesterday.
Author says meeting Harry and Meghan was ‘an honour'
Friday 16 August 2024 12:00
Emma Guinness
A Colombian author who met with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their unofficial tour described the experience as “an honour”.
Taking to Twitter/X, Trisha Prabhu wrote alongside a series of pictures: “It was an honour to participate in the Foro Futuro Digital Responsable in Bogota alongside Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the Vice President of Colombia, and @mariaressa!
“As we discussed, with youth voices leading the way, we can build a better internet.”
Friday 16 August 2024 11:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were all smiles on the first day of their unofficial tour of Colombia.
After enjoying lunch with Francia Marquez, Colombia’s vice president, the couple visited a school to promote the importance of online safety.
This comes after they recently expressed their fears for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet as they grow up in an online world.
Meghan Markle tells online trolls to remember ‘what your grandmother taught you’
Friday 16 August 2024 10:00
Emma Guinness
Meghan Markle hit out at online tolls on the first day of her and Prince Harry’s unofficial tour of Colombia as they discussed online safety.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, urged people to think about how they were raised before using the internet to be cruel to others.
She said: “Maybe your grandmother used to say to you, ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.’”
Prince Harry ‘scared and uncertain’ about development of AI
Friday 16 August 2024 09:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry has said he is “scared and uncertain” about the development of artificial intelligence and the impact it could have on people’s lives.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, made the comments on the first day of his unofficial tour of Colombia, where he and Meghan Markle discussed the dangers of the internet – and by extension technology – on a school visit promoting digital responsibility.
“What happens online within a matter of minutes transfers to the streets. People are acting on information that isn’t true,” the duke said.
“It comes down to all of us to be able to spot the true from the fake.
“In an ideal world, those with positions of influence would take more responsibility. We are no longer debating facts.
“For as long as people are allowed to spread lies, abuse, harass, then social cohesion as we know it has completely broken down.”
Harry, who has spoken candidly about the online abuse he and his wife have faced, concluded that “education and awareness” is the key to overcoming the problem.
Harry and Meghan to meet with Colombian Invictus team
Friday 16 August 2024 08:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are spending the second day of their unofficial Colombian tour in the capital of Bogotá where they will meet with the country’s Invictus Games team.
This will undoubtedly be a meeting of huge significance for Harry, 39, who founded the games in 2014, as Colombia is the only Latin American country represented at Invictus.
The event celebrates the sporting abilities of wounded, sick or injured service people.
Harry and Meghan begin tour of Colombia
Friday 16 August 2024 07:47
Athena Stavrou
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been welcomed to Colombia as they began their four-day tour of the South American nation.
Harry and Meghan were met in the capital Bogota on Thursday by Colombia’s vice-president Francia Marquez and her husband Rafael Yerney Pinillo.
They spent around half-an-hour at the vice-president’s residence, where they exchanged welcome gifts and were offered tea, coffee and traditional pandebono – Colombian cheese bread.
The Sussexes are being given a full security detail throughout their visit alongside Ms Marquez, who invited the couple to travel to Colombia for what has been dubbed a DIY royal tour.
Kate Middleton’s recovery remains ‘a priority'
Friday 16 August 2024 06:00
Emma Guinness
Following the Princess of Wales’s brief return to public life, it has been stressed that her recovery from cancer remains a top “priority” for her family.
An insider told the Daily Mail’s Rebecca English: “I don’t think people realise how much she has gone through behind the scenes and for how long, far longer than anyone actually appreciates.
“She’s an incredibly strong woman, but she really has been through the wars.
“Her treatment and recovery is still a priority and will be ongoing for some time to come.”
The princess announced her cancer diagnosis in March and made her first public appearance of the year at Trooping the Colour in June.
Prince Harry’s ‘hypocritical’ view of security
Friday 16 August 2024 03:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry has been described as “hypocritical” for dubbing the UK too dangerous to visit but happily travelling to Nigeria and Colombia.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Royal Record podcast: “What is clearly emerging is that he believes Britain is dangerous.
“Now, that appears hypocritical when you look at, say, security in Nigeria, even if it was arranged by the defence minister.
“Or the security in Colombia, even if the vice president is arranging it, and the facts simply are that both countries are considered somewhat dangerous, certainly parts of them.”
A representative for the Sussexes confirmed that they will have full security on their current trip to Colombia. It is not known if this is privately funded or not.
Princess of Wales ‘starting to glow again'
Friday 16 August 2024 00:00
Emma Guinness
The Princess of Wales is “starting to glow again” as she continues to battle an undisclosed form of cancer, an expert has claimed.
Rebecca English told the Daily Mail: “Looking tanned and relaxed, the surprise video appearance by the Prince and Princess of Wales at the weekend to thank Britain’s Olympic heroes was the summer lift that all royal watchers needed.”
She then praised the bond displayed by the couple in the surprise video appearance, adding: “Few could fail to have been struck by just how happy William and Catherine looked after what one friend describes as the ‘toughest year of their lives together.”
Harry and Meghan’s chief of staff ‘wasn’t comfortable’ with aspects of job
Thursday 15 August 2024 22:00
Emma Guinness
Following the news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s chief of staff has quit after just three months, it has been claimed that Josh Kettler “wasn’t comfortable” with aspects of the role.
Kettler’s decision to leave was described as a mutual one.
A source told the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden: “Josh soon realised that the job wasn’t for him. There were aspects of it that he wasn’t comfortable with. He thought it was better to leave now than to continue in a job that he did not enjoy.”
Kettler is one of at least 18 staff members who have given up working for the Sussexes since their wedding in 2018.
Colombian Vice President on Harry and Meghan’s unofficial tour
Thursday 15 August 2024 20:00
Emma Guinness
The Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez has released a statement about the importance of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s unofficial tour.
Márquez, the first black woman to ever occupy the position, said: “Their visit comes at a particularly significant time, as it precedes the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children [is] to be held in Colombia this November.
“The Archewell Foundation, founded by the Duke and Duchess, is renowned for its global leadership in fostering a safer online environment. The forthcoming conference will unveil a comprehensive framework for creating safer physical and digital spaces, tackling issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and the mental health impacts of these threats.
“It will offer actionable solutions and commitments for countries around the world.
“During their visit, the Duke and Duchess, as well as The Archewell Foundation, will engage in several activities related to this important topic.”
Harry and Meghan ‘biding their time’ with royal tell-alls
Thursday 15 August 2024 18:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly “biding their time” before writing more books about the royal family.
An insider told Closer magazine: “Eventually, Meghan is going to want to write her memoir, Harry is going to want to update Spare, and they are going to want to sit down and promote themselves on TV.
“They will not shy away from answering questions about the royals... For now, they’re biding their time.”
This comes after Meghan said she had not “scratched the surface” when it comes to discussing her experience within The Firm in a new interview with CBS Sunday Morning.
Meghan Markle embraces Colombian Vice President
Thursday 15 August 2024 16:41
Emma Guinness
The Duchess of Sussex has been photographed embracing the Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez.
She and the duke arrived in the country today for a four-day unofficial tour designed to “illuminate” the country’s “role as a beacon of culture and innovation”.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive in Colombia
Thursday 15 August 2024 16:01
Emma Guinness
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived in the Colombian capital of Bogotá.
Harry and Meghan were greeted by Vice President Francia Márquez, who they enjoyed coffee, tea and traditional Colombian cheese bread with.
The two parties also exchanged gifts to mark the beginning of the couple’s four-day visit.
Royal family in Balmoral for ‘crunch talks'
Thursday 15 August 2024 16:00
Emma Guinness
The royal family are having more than just their summer break at Balmoral and are engaging in “crunch talks” about their future.
One of the most pressing topics of discussion is reportedly Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are beginning their second unofficial tour of the year in Colombia today.
An insider told the Daily Express: “What people don’t realise is that the Balmoral gathering isn’t just a summer holiday.
“The family also participates in pre-arranged meetings where they discuss the family’s current position and how they can best prepare for the future.
“Last year was very much about honouring the Queen, as it was the King’s first time hosting the gathering since her death - but this will be about how the family can best move forward without the Sussexes.”