Harry and Meghan’s ‘immense’ Colombia security revealed – royal news

The Duke of Sussex joined in a game of volleyball on a visit to Colombian Invictus Games athletes in Bogota.

Harry and the Duchess of Sussex met athletes training for the Games, which were founded by the duke, during a visit to the Centro de Rehabilitacion Inclusiva on the second day of their visit to Colombia’s capital.

The couple were welcomed by military officials before touring the centre’s swimming pool, rock climbing wall gym and rehabilitation facilities, chatting with the athletes about their exercise programmes.

“It’s amazing to see how many people can come together to form one team,” Harry said to an Invictus team member while touring the centre’s cardiovascular room, Meghan saying the athletes were “all so incredible to watch.

They were accompanied by Colombia’s Vice President Francia Marquez and her partner Rafael Yerney Pinillo, who joined Harry in taking part in the volleyball match.

The CEO of a Colombian school has described an “emotional” moment during Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the Colegio La Giralda on the outskirts of the South American nation’s capital Bogota.

“ It was so special for us to have Harry and Meghan come and visit us and the staff and children were all very excited,” School CEO Diana Basto said.

“It was a lovely experience to have them here. They visited various parts of the school including the memorial museum section where they learned about people who have been killed in previous conflicts in Colombia’s history.

“It was emotional for them and from their to the kindergarten and then finally onto the garden where they helped plant two trees.

“There was music and dancing as they went around the school and they joined in with the dancing. Then Harry had a go at the punching bag in the gym.

“They were super excited when they were given the presents and because the children in the kindergarten are the same age as Archie.”

Harry and Meghan are being protected alongside Francia Marquez, who has had threats against her life since becoming the country’s first female vice president.

A journalist accompanying the trio described the security presence as “massive”.

“We’ve seen 14 car and police van convoys carrying the Sussexes through the streets of Bogotá since they arrived this morning and have been on four engagements,” said Nick Pisa.

“There’s a bit of controversy with the vice president over the fact that she seems to travel everywhere by helicopter, but we should say she has been subjected to several death threats and also several attempted assassinations.”

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One of the most pressing topics of discussion is reportedly Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are beginning their second unofficial tour of the year in Colombia today.

An insider told the Daily Express: “What people don’t realise is that the Balmoral gathering isn’t just a summer holiday.

“The family also participates in pre-arranged meetings where they discuss the family’s current position and how they can best prepare for the future.

“Last year was very much about honouring the Queen, as it was the King’s first time hosting the gathering since her death – but this will be about how the family can best move forward without the Sussexes.”

Described as a “beacon of anti-colonialism”, San Basilio de Palenque was founded by escaped slaves in the 17th century, The Telegraph reports.

This month’s tour is designed to “illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s  tour of Colombia has been described as a “distraction” from the country’s problems by locals.

Harry and Meghan arrived on Thursday for a visit that will “illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation”.

“I’m sure Meghan and Harry mean well, but everyone here is talking about how obviously they are being manipulated,” a Colombian lawyer told the Mail on Sunday.

“Of course, their star power will be used to bring attention to poor people and certain areas of culture in Colombia but the reality is the Colombian government has been drowning in scandal since it came in two years ago. They need something to appease people at home and make them look good abroad.”

The couple will have full security on the trip to Colombia, where issues like kidnapping are rife.

According to an insider, his appearances are being “fantastically well managed to give the impression that everything is fine.”

“Charles is doing a magnificent job fighting his cancer but he is still unwell,” a source told The Daily Beast.

“It is being fantastically well managed to give the impression that everything is fine, but it is noticeable to those of us who are aware of such things that the engagements are shorter and carefully scheduled; for example, he sometimes arrives by helicopter at the last minute before being choppered away and presumably collapsing in an armchair at home.”

Prince Harry took a veiled swipe at Elon Musk over the rapid spread of misinformation on social media in the wake of far-right riots across the UK.

The Duke of Sussex said “those with positions of influence” should take more responsibility for tackling lies online and warned “social cohesion as we know it has completely broken down”.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being protected by a “ring of steel” security detail as they continue their four-day tour of Colombia.

Having landed in the country’s capital of Bogotá on Thursday, the pair wasted little time in greeting Francia Marquez, Colombia’s vice president, where they enjoyed lunch and discussed their goals for the visit including championing online safety.

Despite the seemingly relaxed first encounter, the Sussexes landed in a country going through some political turmoil with the government accused in some quarters of using the former working royals as “political pawns” to obscure a string of corruption allegations.

In light of this, the duke and duchess were reported to have been assigned an “immense security presence” with a “14 car and police van convoys”, according to a reporter covering the trip.

As the couple began their second day of engagements at a school, their security detail was seen protecting the couple and the vice president with a bulletproof briefcase.