MEGHAN Markle gave a rare update on Lilibet in a speech at a heavily-guarded theatre on the final day of her Colombia trip with Prince Harry.
The duch*ess of Sussex, 43, spoke at a conference about "Afro women and power” on the fourth day of their 'faux royal' tour.
13
13
13
13
13
13
Meghan and Harry both looked in good spirits as they greeted those inside the Municipal Theatre in the city of Cali.
Taking to the stage, the duch*ess then went on to explain that she had learnt some Spanish 20 years ago in Argentina as she begun her speech.
Talking with a slight Argentinian accent, she thanked Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez and described her as a “friend”.
The duch*ess of Sussex, 43, got a big cheer when she said: “I would like to begin in Spanish because we are in your country, my husband and I, and I can feel this embrace from Colombia.”
Read More
After opening in Spanish, Meghan moved back to speaking in English and gave a sweet update on her daughter Lilibet.
The duch*ess revealed that her three-year-old daughter has “found her voice”.
And Meghan also praised her mother Doria as her “role model”.
She went on: "It’s incredible, so many, many thanks because the culture, the history, everything has been like a dream on this trip.
Most read in Royals
PRINCE PAL I was Harry's oldest pal but now only get the odd WhatsApp - he's an angry boy
HIDDEN MEANING Meghan sent a secret message to Charles with 'huge gesture', claims expert
“Sorry if my Spanish is not perfect because I learned 20 years ago in Argentina but I’m trying becausehereI can feel this community and this feeling which is the best in the world.
“So thank you very much to the Vice President, my friend, many thanks.”
Meghan made a gesture of wiping her brow and said “phew” after speaking in Spanish.
Reflecting on the visit, Meghan said: “I just really relaxed on this trip.
“That's probably because it's Colombia, and you all know how to have fun.”
Praising her mother as Harry watched on, she said: “I think I find inspiration in so many of the strong women that are around me.
Meghan & Harry have NO idea what they’re doing or what they stand for - they’ve lost all power
“Of course, my mother being one of them.”
And she added: “I think part of the role modelling that I certainly try to do as a mother is to encourage our daughter, who at three, she has found her voice, and we're so proud of that, because that is how we, as I was saying, create the conditions in which there's a ripple effect of young girls and young women knowing that if someone else is encouraging them to use their voice and be heard, that's what they're going to do.
"And they're going to create a very different environment than so many of us grew up in where our voices were meant to be smaller, and now in raising them, we're changing the conditions in the environment where everyone has space to be the best version of themselves.”
After the conference ended, Harry joined his wife and held hands with her on the stage at the Enrique Buenaventura Municipal Theatre in central Cali.
The city was famous in the 1990s as the home turf of the Cali Cartel, which at the time controlled 80% of the worldwide cocaine market.
Earlier, the duch*ess of Sussex was pictured eagerly shaking hands with those in the audience as a proud Duke looked on.
During their previous engagements, the couple had a "ring of steel" security in close quarters at all times and today's visit was no exception.
Heavily armed soldiers, explosive officers and police officers, including one with a dog,were seen standing guard outside.
Later the couple will attend an Afro-Colombian music festival in the city, which bills itself as the world capital of salsa.
It will bring the four-day trip to an end after Harry and Meghan visited capital city Bogota and Cartagena de Indias on the Caribbean coast.
On Saturday afternoon the couple visited San Basilio de Palenque, the first free town for Africans in America.
Meghan stepped out in a white linen skirt and blouse, styled with a Panama style fedora while Harry looked casual in a baby blue linen shirt and cream trousers.
The couple put on a loved-up display as they walked through the village holding hands.
They were there with Colombian vice president Francis Marquez, who has hosted them on the tour.
A local "wise woman" also performed a ritual to bring prosperity for Harry, Meghan and the Vice President.
The duch*ess, who discovered she is 43 per cent Nigerian after doing a DNA test, said of the village: “We understand very well the importance and the meaning of what this town is, has been left to us very light.
“We understand what Palenque represents for Colombia and for the world, we thank you for sharing with us everything you have shown us."
Speaking about the village, Harry said: “What we are seeing here is everything that a community is.
“Do not forget the Vice President's message, you are stronger together, you are stronger united as one.”
A local artist called Andris Padilla Julio, 32, performed for the Sussexes after their tour.
He said they discussed plans to build an arts performance centre in the village.
"I gave them a document with what we want to do and now all they need to do is put in the money that we need,"added the rapper, known as Afroneto.
13
13
13
13
13
"They said they would help. Harry complemented me on my RFP flow and my outfit."
Meanwhile, Josefa Hernandez, a contractor for Colombia's Ministry of Culture, who served as master of ceremonies for the visit, said the Sussexes' trip was "very symbolic".
"The Duke and duch*ess broke their protocol to thank us for opening the doors of our community to them," he said.
"They told us that they understood the importance of San Basilio de Palenque for the history of Colombia and the world."
It comes after the couple spent the second day oftheir Colombia tourin the capital Bogota visiting a school in the town of Santa Fe.
Meghan and Harry were all smiles as they met schoolkids and played volleyball with Invictus Games athletes.
They planted trees at La Giralda School and clapped along to youngsters dancing in traditional Colombian dress.
Speaking in Spanish,Meghantold one pupil: "You're the same age as my son Archie".
Harryalso tried out his Spanish, asking students their names and ages.
Following the kindergarten visit, the Sussexes and the Vice President went to the school’s garden, where three trees had been planted to honour the visit.
Harry and Meghan then visited the school’s social and emotional gym, where pupils are taught how to balance theirmentalandphysical health.
On their final engagement of the tour, the Sussexes toured the Centro de Rehabilitación Inclusiva for a training session with theInvictus Games’ Team Colombia.
Harry and Meghan were given a tour of the space’s swimming pool, rock climbing wall gym, and rehabilitation facilities.
The duke said: “It’s amazing to see how many people can come together to form one team."
“They are all so incredible to watch,” added the duch*ess.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The Sussexes along with Vice President Márquez and her partner Rafael Yerney Pinillo also sat in on a volleyball match.
Pinillo and Harry were called in and took part while the Vice President and Meghan cheered from the sidelines.
Meghan & Harry shielded by ‘ballistic briefcase’ on trip to Colombia school
By Alex Diaz and Ethan Singh
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle were guarded by an "immense" army of security in Colombia with one officer appearing to hold up a ballistic Kevlar shield during their visit to a school.
TheDukeandduch*ess of Sussexhave a full security detail, alongside vice-president Francia Marquez, who invited them on the tour.
Harryand Meghan's cavalcade included at least 14 vehicles and the school's perimeter had soldiers,policeand suited private security stationed around it.
Their "immense security presence" in Colombia is thought to include an officer armed with a Kevlar shield - known as a ballistic briefcase - to stop any potential shooter taking aim at the couple.
Pictures from their visit to the school's garden appeared to show a security guard brandishing the shield in the crowd.
At each event the couple have attended, the man has been seen jumping out of a vehicle ahead of the couple while holding the folding shield.
The item - known as a ballistic briefcase - is also being used to protect the country's vice president Francia Marquez who is hosting the visit and has been the target of several assassination attempts.
During their visit to Colegio La Giralda in the capital, Bogot, the Duke and duch*ess took part in an art session and planted trees.
Harry and Meghan's arrival was celebrated with performances from students who wore traditional Colombian dress and played cumbia songs with live percussion.
Pupils also presented presents for their children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, including Colombian style ponchos, as well as personal letters and drawings.
13
13
