Prince Harry, Meghan Markle in Colombia: Day two

A taxi driver had a stark warning for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry as they visited a school in Colombia.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were surrounded by masses of security as they left a school during their latest tour in Colombia.

The royal couple were flanked by 14 vehicles after their visit ended, while the school was surrounded by soldiers, police and suited-private security during the couple’s visit.

A taxi driver, who dropped off reporters near the school, described the area as “bandit country” and reportedly warned the journalists to be careful.

During the visit, Meghan gave a sweet nod to Princess Diana as she and Prince Harry visited a school to kick off day two of their tour of Colombia.

Eagle-eyed royal fans spotted that Meghan used the moment to pay a sweet homage to Princess Diana just weeks ahead of the anniversary of the royal’s tragic death.

Meghan was seen wearing Diana’s stud butterfly earings, which the Princess was last seen wearing in 1986 during a trip to Canada when Harry was just a baby.

The Duchess of Sussex has had the butterfly earrings in her jewellery box for years has worn them multiple times over the years. She first wore the meaningful accessories in Australia in October 2018 for her first public appearance after Kensington Palace announced she was pregnant.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Colegio La Giralda, a local school in the town of Santa Fe and known as one of the top learning institutions in the world.

The pair visited a school. Picture: ANDRES CASTILLA / Colombian Vice-Presidency / AFP)

All smiles. Picture: Andres CASTILLA / Colombian Vice-Presidency / AFP

After being greeted by the school’s headmaster Serafin OrdoìnÞez, the Duke and Duchess along with the Vice President participated in a brief tour of the school including participating in an art session, visiting a kindergarten class, and also joining in on planting trees on the school’s property.

The entire school prepared special moments for the Duke and Duchess’s arrival including performances all throughout the school grounds where students wore traditional Colombian dress and performed cumbia songs along with live percussion to celebrate the occasion.

The first visit was an observation of the school’s historical memory museum where students share art they’ve created that commemorates Colombian history and the generations that came before them. The students described the room as a space meant for creation and collaboration and their artwork is made to honour the resilience of the Colombian people.

For a visit to a kindergarten class, the Duke and Duchess spent time with students (and worked on puzzles!) while they conversed with the class. Duchess Meghan also exercised her Spanish skills for the visit.

They are on a South American tour. Picture: Andres CASTILLA / Colombian Vice-Presidency / AFP

They spoke to the kids. Picture: ANDRES CASTILLA / Colombian Vice-Presidency / AFP

“You’re the same age as my son Archie!” She said to a student in Spanish. Prince Harry also practised his Spanish, asking students their names and age. The kindergarteners also performed a song for the Duke and Duchess before presenting them with gifts and handwritten letters.

Following the kindergarten visit, the Duke and Duchess and the VP went to the school’s garden. The school prioritises the concept of the “outdoor classroom” where three trees were planted to honour the principals visit. The school’s garden has existed since 2020 and was created for students to not only learn to appreciate the Earth but also the farmers of Colombia who provide food for the country.

The Duke and Duchess also visited the school’s social and emotional gym which highlights mental and physical exercises for students to learn how better balance their mental health and personal wellbeing. The students demonstrated for the Duke, Duchess, and VP their own personal meditation techniques and how they balance their emotions, good and bad

Colombia tour

The couple arrived in the capital, Bogotá, early on Thursday ahead of their four-day visit, which was arranged following a personal invitation from the country’s Vice-President, Francia Márquez.

As the tour got underway, Ms Márquez told journalists that she'd been inspired to reach out to the Sussexes after watching their controversial Netflix-docu-series, Harry & Meghan, last year.

“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,” Ms Márquez told journalists.

“ … We have been working for a year for this visit.”

Harry and Meghan were greeted by the Vice President and her husband Yerney Pinillo at her official residence after landing in Colombia. Picture: Colombian Vice President's Office via Getty Images

The tour comes as part of efforts by Harry and Meghan’s philanthropic division, Archewell Foundation, to improve the social media landscape and better protect young people from online dangers.

They took in some cultural performances during Thursday’s activities. Picture: Diego Cuevas/Getty Images

During their time there, the couple will visit local organisations, host panels, participate in an Invictus Games training sessions and experience Colombian culture while travelling across three cities: Bogotá, Cali and Cartegna.

They gave passionate speeches about the digital landscape during an afternoon panel appearance. Picture: Diego Cuevas/Getty Images

Day one saw Harry and Meghan visit a school, watch performances in theatre, music and dance, and then take part in a panel on internet safety.

“We should model how we want our kids to be raised and for the world in which we raise them,” Meghan said during the presentation.

“It doesn’t matter where you live. It doesn’t matter who you are. Either you personally or someone you know is a victim to what’s happening online. And that’s something we can actively work on every day to remedy.”

The duchess had three outfit changes across the first day, beginning with a Veronica Beard suit, followed up by a colourful Johanna Ortiz embroidered dress, and finishing in a rust-coloured set by Victoria Beckham and New York-based brand, La Ligne.