Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arrived in Cali this Sunday, August 18, to participate in a series of activities focused on the culture of Cali and the Colombian Pacific.
News Cali
Since their arrival, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shown great interest in the cultural wealth of the region, although they have not been able to escape the intense heat characteristic of the capital of Valle del Cauca.
The day began early for the Duke and Duchess, who landed in Cali in the morning and immediately headed to the Enrique Buenaventura Municipal Theater.
There, local authorities were waiting for them, including the mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder, the governor of Valle del Cauca, Dilian Francisca Toro, and the vice president of Colombia, Francia Márquez, who was the main promoter of the duke and duchess’ visit to Colombia.
The main event of the morning began with a forum entitled ‘Afro Women and Power’, which aims to highlight the dignity and role of ethnic peoples in Colombia, with special emphasis on Afro-Colombian women.
Vice President Francia Márquez, a prominent defender of the rights of these communities, was the one who extended the invitation to the dukes to experience first-hand the cultural wealth of the country.
During the forum, Meghan Markle was seen getting up to adjust a fan, in an attempt to mitigate the intense heat inside the venue. This gesture did not go unnoticed, reflecting the climatic reality of the city at this time of year, and how even royalty must adapt to local conditions.
What other activities will the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do?
Throughout the event, the Duke and Duchess enjoyed traditional music from the region and listened attentively to speeches on the impact of Afro-Colombian culture.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also greeted attendees, including artists, young people and local leaders, who expressed their excitement at the royal couple’s presence in their city.
According to the agenda set by the Vice Presidency, at the end of the forum, the Duke and Duchess will go to the El Vallado Recreational Centre, where they will meet with young people from the community.
The visit will probably culminate with their participation in the Petronio Álvarez festival, one of the most emblematic events of the Colombian Pacific, where they will be able to enjoy the gastronomy, music, dance and vibrant culture of the region.
