Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have embarked on a four-day tour of Colombia. The visit, which began on August 15, marks a new chapter in the couple's post-royal humanitarian efforts and underscores their growing influence on the international stage.

The Sussexes were greeted warmly upon their arrival in Bogotá by Vice President Francia Márquez and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo. In a gesture that set the tone for the visit, Márquez was photographed embracing Meghan, symbolizing the informal yet impactful nature of the tour. The couple's first stop was the vice president's residence, where they shared coffee, tea, and traditional Colombian cheese bread, known as pan de bono, before exchanging welcome gifts.

During the 30-minute meeting, Márquez expressed admiration for the couple's commitment to causes that align with her own priorities. "We share the same ideals and goals for championing a safer digital future and mental health landscape," the vice president stated, according to sources present at the meeting. Márquez also took the opportunity to share her admiration for Prince Harry's late mother, Princess Diana, a gesture that reportedly touched the Duke.

The genesis of this visit traces back to July 2023, when Márquez, the first Black woman to hold the position of vice president in Colombia, extended an invitation to Meghan. Explaining her motivation, Márquez revealed, "I learned their story through Netflix and I was moved by it. Meghan is a woman who deserves to come to the country and tell her story." This personal connection underscores the unique position the Sussexes occupy in the intersection of celebrity, activism, and diplomacy.

The tour's agenda is ambitious and multifaceted. On their first day, the couple participated in an Insight Session at a local school and attended a summit focusing on creating positive online environments. The following day's schedule includes meetings with students to discuss emotional well-being in education, a luncheon hosted by Vice President Márquez, and an engagement with Colombia's Invictus Games competitors. Notably, Colombia became the first South American country to join Prince Harry's adaptive sports event for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.

The timing of the visit is strategic, coming ahead of the first World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children, scheduled to take place in Colombia this November. This alignment highlights the Sussexes' focus on promoting safer digital environments through their nonprofit organization, the Archewell Foundation.

Meghan's fashion choices for the tour have also garnered attention, with the Duchess opting for a navy Veronica Beard suit and black Manolo Blahnik heels for her arrival, accessorized with a white leather Loro Piana handbag and black Ray-Ban sunglasses. Prince Harry coordinated with a dark blue suit and a bright blue Brioni dress shirt, presenting a united front in both appearance and purpose.

The Colombia tour represents a significant step in the Sussexes' international engagement since relocating to the United States in 2020. It follows their trip to Nigeria in May, which marked their first international visit since stepping back from royal duties. Prince Harry hinted at the time that more such trips were in the offing, telling PEOPLE, "It is hugely important for us to meet directly with people, supporting our causes and listening, in order to bring about solutions, support, and positive change."

This visit also places the Sussexes in the footsteps of other royal family members who have toured Colombia. In November 2023, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, undertook a three-day official tour focusing on women's rights and survivors of sexual violence. A decade earlier, King Charles and Queen Camilla, then the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, included Colombia in their Latin American tour.