Warm Welcome to La Giralda School
The next morning, Meghan and Harry visited La Giralda School. The couple was able to enjoy a very lively reception of traditional Colombian music, with children dressed in their folk costumes. Prince Harry is always a willing visitor and was seen bobbing his head to the rhythm in delight at the colorful cultural exhibition.
The couple spent some time interacting with the children, showing that they really were attempting to reach out to the local community by practicing their Spanish. Meghan delighted a nursery class when, speaking in Spanish, she told one young pupil, "You are the same age as my son Archie." Prince Harry kept the pupils on their toes by asking about names and ages.
Meeting with Colombia's Vice President
Their visit to the school was characterized by the presence of the Vice President of Colombia herself, Francia Márquez, who accompanied the royal couple throughout the day. Her presence therefore underlined the importance of the visit and the significance of the couple's engagement with the community.
Supporting Veterans at a Rehabilitation Centre
Later in the day, Meghan and Harry turned their attention to an extremely personal issue: looking out for veterans. The couple visited a rehabilitation center in Bogotá to meet with war veterans. Veteran Prince Harry joined in on a round of sitting volleyball, an activity most often deployed for the rehabilitation of injured servicemen and servicewomen.
It does, indeed, illustrate that the commitment of the royal couple to the welfare of veterans and their families remains very much alive through the various initiatives the couple has championed, including the Invictus Games.
A DIY Royal Tour
The visit to Colombia is part of what many have called a "DIY royal tour." Of course, with the announcement that they would be stepping back from their official royal duties, the couple is still treading a path of their own. The ability to connect with locals, speak their language, and participate in cultural activities shows Meghan and Harry are very clearly proving that service transcends borders.
Their visit to Colombia reflects not only their ongoing commitment to philanthropy but also shows us that they are now out of the royal box and mixing with people from all walks of life, which can be interpreted to mean that they are still much committed to making a difference in the world but on their own terms.
