Harry and Meghan reveal what they’re giving to Colombia after controversial faux-royal tour
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they have donated a number of drum kits, a learning environment and improvements to a “social-emotional gym” to the people of Colombia following their almost-royal tour.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced the gifts alongside a new video montage of the trip, which shows them visiting a number of locations with Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez.
The couple’s statement emphasized their goal to “be there and do good wherever we are in the world” through their charity, The Archewell Foundation.
The drums go to Escuela Tambores de Cabildo, where they were spotted taking a class.
The couple will also donate money to improve a “safe environment for local children to explore, learn and connect in San Basilio de Palenque.”
At the Colegio La Giralda school they are also expanding the ‘social-emotional gym program’.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a number of donations this week to conclude their tour of Colombia, including providing school supplies to young students across the country
The couple were invited by Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez (center right) for their apparent royal tour
The three donations are intended to “take steps towards a fairer and more compassionate world,” the royals said.
“Each of these initiatives underscores our commitment to making a difference and supporting programs that uplift and empower individuals and communities.”
Their contribution to the learning environment of San Basilio de Palenque is aimed at providing local children with resources to attend school and learn safely.
And the expansion of a ‘social-emotional gym’ at Colegio La Giralda aims to promote children’s key learning skills, such as conflict mediation and emotional resilience.
Although the couple were accused of having massive security bills cost the country more than $1.5 million, Colombian officials have maintained that the couple financed the entire trip themselves, supplemented by money from international agencies.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit Cartagena, Colombia on August 17, one of three major Colombian cities they visited during the quasi-royal tour
Prince Harry joined his wife Meghan on stage after she spoke at an event focused on the empowerment of Afro-Colombian women
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia on Saturday, August 17
In their recently released clip, Harry and Meghan showed never-before-seen footage from their trip.
The footage showed the couple dancing with local children, addressing large crowds and visiting several culturally significant sites in Colombia.
They began their journey in Bogota, along with the vice president, where they reportedly ate a traditional Colombian cheese bread called pan de bono.
As part of their efforts through the Archewell Foundation, the couple spent significant time with local school children and immersed themselves in Colombian culture.
During a school trip, Meghan reportedly compared one of the students – in Spanish – to the couple’s five-year-old son Archie. She reportedly told him: ‘You’re the same age as my son, Archie!’
During their trip, the couple spent a lot of time with local school children and immersed themselves in Colombian culture
However, their trip was not welcomed with open arms. According to local media, their almost royal tour cost Colombia over $1.5 million in security costs.
The cost of £375,000 a day included 3,000 police and soldiers, plus helicopters, sniffer dogs, bomb disposal squads and an ever-present guard armed with a bulletproof briefcase or shield in case a sniper attacked.
But the security risks for a country struggling with huge socio-economic problems – a third of the population lives below the poverty line – have angered many, including the security chief of the Cali city council, where the couple ended their tour on Sunday.
Andres Escobar wrote in an article on X, in response to a report on the costs of security by CW Noticias: ‘Billions that could have been used to expand coverage of children’s canteens, pay salaries of mothers from the community, provide start-up capital to Afro-communities or adapt sports venues that were practically in ruins.’
After the allegations emerged, Harry and Meghan said they were funding their own travel expenses, in addition to some funding from international agencies.
El Pais, a Spanish news agency, reported that the Colombian Ministry of Equality and Equity said: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex financed their trip and that of their team with their own resources.”