After cultural experiences and a bit of dancing, Prince Harry And Meghan Markle ended the first day of their visit to Colombia with some serious statements about their major charitable venture to promote online safety. Speaking at the Summit for a Responsible Digital Future held at Universidad EAN in Bogotá, Meghan explained why she believes everyone should be part of their quest to improve social media culture.
“We should be role models for how our children should be raised and the world we raise them in,” she said, wearing a copper blouse by Victoria Beckham and pants by La Ligne. “It doesn’t matter where you live. It doesn’t matter who you are. Either you or someone you know is a victim of what’s happening online. And that’s something we can actively work on every day to remedy.”
Accordingly Harper’s Bazaar, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, did not accompany their parents on the trip to the Latin American country.
On Thursday evening, the two appeared in a panel together with Maria Ressa, who received the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for her commitment to press freedom in the Philippines, and Colombia’s Vice President Francia Marquez, who welcomed the Duke and Duchess to her official residence on Thursday. Márquez spoke about her own experiences with digital harassment after becoming the first black woman in the country’s history to become vice president, adding that she hoped society could find a better balance when it comes to the media climate and online platforms impacting mental health.
During the panel, Harry spoke about the Archewell Foundation’s new Parents’ Network project and said he’s learned from the way founders in the tech industry regulate their own children’s access to technology. “Other people might listen to the parents themselves,” he said. “I don’t have to tell you that they don’t allow their children to use these platforms. That says it all, let’s be honest.”
The prince added that he wanted to give young people the opportunity to share “their life experiences” of online harm in a targeted way. “The goal is a unified voice that is able to go to the source of the problem to make a real difference,” he said. “With the Archewell Foundation, my wife and I believe that information integrity is a fundamental right.”
Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images.
Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images.
The evening’s program rounded off a busy day in which Meghan and Harry met citizens from all walks of life in Bogotá. After a pandebono breakfast at Márquez’s residence, the pair traveled to the Colegio Cultura Popular, a local charter school, where students cheered with excitement upon their arrival.
Meghan and Harry were greeted by the headmaster, Leonel Umana Parra, and student Jose David, before going inside to attend a session where they listened to students talk about their experiences of navigating life online. During the session, Meghan praised students for their “impressive, smart and savvy” behaviour and stressed the importance of trying to be “self-reliant and not dependent on technology”.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA – AUGUST 15: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex are seen at the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit to Colombia on August 15, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images
Meghan started the day in a sleeveless navy top and matching trousers by Veronica Beard, but after school Meghan changed her outfit for the first time and slipped into a pink and cream jacquard dress by Joanna Ortiz. Meghan is a long-time fan of the brand and is known for it, but her decision to wear the dress in Bogotá was particularly fitting. Ortiz was born in Cali, Colombia, and her work is known for being inspired by the colors and traditional patterns of Latin America.
Together with Márquez, Harry and Meghan travelled to the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata Olivella, where they attended an event focusing on the art of Bogotá. After meeting with the director of the centre, Xiomara Suescun, and Minister of Culture Juan David Correa, They saw a theatrical performance and a folklore performance with music and dancers. Although Harry remained on the sidelines, Meghan and the Vice President both joined in the dancing towards the end of the show.
