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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will meet Colombia's Invictus Games athletes in Bogota on the second day of their South American visit.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were welcomed by Colombia’s vice-president Francia Marquez and her husband Rafael Yerney Pinillo after arriving in the country on Thursday for the start of a four-day tour.
Ms Marquez, who said she was inspired to invite the Sussexes following their Netflix documentary, described the trip as a 'very special visit' aimed at tackling cyber-bullying and online discrimination as well as promoting women’s leadership in Colombia.
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Sussexes invited to Colombia following Netflix documentary
Harry and Meghan were invited to Colombia for their quasi royal tour after the country's vice president saw them on Netflix and was 'moved' by their story.
Francia Márquez made the revelation as she briefed media ahead of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's arrival for their four day trip.
They will take on the cities of Bogotá before heading off to Cartagena and Cali as part of a 'cultural and social' visit.
Speaking to media Ms Marquez - who continually referred to the couple as 'Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex', said she asked Meghan to visit Colombia last year, but the visit had been delayed due to other commitments.
Ms Marquez, who has been accused of using helicopters like taxis, was asked by a local journalist why she had invited the couple to Colombia.
She replied: '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.'
Watch: Prince Harry on the dangers of AI and disinformation
We can bring you footage of Prince Harry's remarks at a a summit on digital responsibility and appeared to blame fake news for sparking the disorder in Southport.
The forum was staged by the Duke's Archewell Foundation.
See the videos below:
How Prince Harry appeared to criticise Elon Musk over Southport riots
The Duke of Sussex attacked misinformation on social media during a summit on digital responsibility and appeared to blame fake news for sparking the disorder in Southport.
He added that a lot of people were 'scared and uncertain 'about the potential impact of AI and that 'education and awareness' would be key to tacking misinformation.
X founder Elon Musk has come under intense criticism for misinformation on his platform relating to the events, with the world's richest man even falling victim to it after sharing a fake story about Sir Keir Starmer looking at detainment camps for rioters.
Harry said:
Prince Harry takes veiled swipe at Elon Musk
by Nick Pisa, Mark Duell and Elizabeth Haigh
Prince Harry appeared to criticise Elon Musk following the Southport riots in Britain as he and wife Meghan Markle began their four-day quasi-royal tour of Colombia.
The Duke of Sussex attacked misinformation on social media during a summit on digital responsibility and appeared to blame fake news for sparking the disorder.
Some 80 adults have so far been sentenced following violence which broke out in parts of the UK in the wake of three girls being murdered in Southport on July 29.
And Harry told an audience yesterday: 'What happens online within a matter of minutes transfers to the streets. People are acting on information that isn't true.'
He added that a lot of people were 'scared and uncertain 'about the potential impact of AI and that 'education and awareness' would be key to tacking misinformation.
In pictures: Harry and Meghan's first day in Colombia
Here is a snapshot of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first day in Colombia after they touched down in Bogota ahead of a four-day visit.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Colombia: What happened on day one
Yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Bogota to start their four-day visit of Colombia
The couple are being hosted by Colombia's vice-president Francia Márquez, who invited them after watching the Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary
Here's what you need to know from the first day:
- Harry and Meghan spent the day visiting a school in capital Bogotá to talk to teenagers about the impact of social media.
- In their second public appearance, Meghan and Harry attended a ceremony at the Delia Zapata National Arts Center in Bogota, where Meghan embraced artisan design by wearing a maxi dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz.
- Later, the Duke and Duchess spoke at a summit on digital responsibility staged in part by Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation.
- Across the next three days, the Sussexes will take in more of Bogotá before heading off to Cartagena and Cali as part of a 'cultural and social' visit.
- Harry will also meet members of the Team Colombia squad participating in the Invictus Games, who are gearing up for the 2025 games in Whistler, Canada.
Officials have kept the itinerary a closely guarded secret because parts of the country are described as 'best avoided' due to ongoing internal conflicts.
Good afternoon
Hello and welcome to MailOnline's live coverage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's visit to Colombia.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in the Colombian capital Bogota on Thursday for the start of a four-day visit aimed at tackling cyber-bullying and online discrimination as well as promoting women’s leadership in Colombia.
We will bring you the latest news and pictures from the royal couple's trip in South America plus reaction.
Key Updates
In pictures: Harry and Meghan's first day in Colombia
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Colombia: What happened on day one
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