Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Celebrate Afro-Colombian Culture: 'Incredibly Moving Experience'

Mar. 15, 2025

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit Colombia on Aug. 17, 2024.Photo:Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty

Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty

Meghan MarkleandPrince Harryvisited a historic village as they continued their tour of Colombia.

On Aug. 17, the couple visited San Basilio de Palenque outside Cartagena, which was established as the first free African town in the Americas in 1619.

Vice President Francia Màrquez gave a speech thanking the couple for accepting her invitation to the country. “I wanted them to come here and discover the essence of who we are — our spirituality, our music, our culture and our ancestral heritage that is still very much alive today,” she said. “In the midst of adversity, this is what has helped us continue to be resilient. Palenque is in the heart of every Afro-Colombian.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Colombia on Aug. 17, 2024.Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also addressed the group, greeting everyone both in Spanish and in the town’s indigenous language of Palenquero. Meghan, 43, expressed she was “so honored” to visit San Basilio de Palenque, noting the community’s “incredible history," while Harry, 39, described it as an “incredibly moving experience.”

Manuel Perez Salinas, a tour guide who showed Harry and Meghan around San Basilio de Palenque, toldThe Telegraphthat he talked with them about their cultural identity and showed them a statue of the town’s founder, Benkos Bioho. He praised the couple for “breaking protocol” with their choice to tour the town.

Another tour guide, Juan Manuel Márquez Padilla, toldThe Telegraphthat when he shared their desire for “racial discrimination to end” with the couple, Harry replied, “We’re working on that.”

“I liked them because they’re working for human rights," he said, according to the outlet.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit Colombia on Aug. 17, 2024.Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty

However, some residents, known as Palenqueros, hoped the couple would address the British crown’s role in the colonial slave trade during the visit.

Hairdresser Elida Canarte Diaz toldThe Telegraph, “His ancestors made our ancestors go through terrible times, and he can make good faith and repent to show that they don’t agree with what happened before.”

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Prince Harry visits Colombia on Aug. 17, 2024.Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty

According to theDuke and Duchess of Sussex’s website, the visit “underscored their commitment to uplifting communities.”

“The couple’s visit to San Basilio de Palenque not only celebrated its heritage but also reaffirmed the power of community spirit and connection,” they added.

source: people.com