Prince Harry took backseat to let Meghan Markle 'soak up the attention' on Colombia tour, claims expert

The couple was invited for a four-day tour of Colombia by Vice President Francia Marquez after she watched their docuseries ‘Harry & Meghan’
PUBLISHED AUG 16, 2024
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were welcomed to Colombia by Vice President Marquez and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo on August 15, in Bogota (Eric Charbonneau/
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were welcomed to Colombia by Vice President Marquez and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo on August 15, in Bogota (Eric Charbonneau/

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA: Prince Harry intentionally made himself less important as he wanted his wife Meghan Markle to “soak up all the attention” as they met Colombia's vice president in Bogota on Thursday, August 15, a body language expert claimed.

The former senior royal pair was invited for a four-day tour to the South American nation by Vice President Francia Marquez after she watched their docuseries ‘Harry & Meghan’, as reported by PEOPLE.

Francia Marquez says Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are ‘motivating’

The 42-year-old politician said, “I particularly watched the Netflix series about their lives and their story, which deeply moved me. It motivated me to say, 'This is a woman who deserves to visit our country and share her story', and undoubtedly, her visit will strengthen so many women around the world.”

Commenting on the photos from the meeting, body language expert Judi James said, as reported by the Daily Mail, “Harry’s body language on their arrival and as they greet their host suggests some status-lowering as though he is keen to avoid pulling royal rank here.”

In this handout photo provided by the Colombian Vice President's Office, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (C) are welcomed to Colombia by Vice President Francia Márquez at her official residence on August 15, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are undertaking a four-day visit to Colombia. (Photo by Colombian Vice President's Office via Getty Images)
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle were welcomed to Colombia by Vice President Francia Marquez at her official residence on August 15, in Bogota, Colombia (Colombian Vice President's Office via Getty Images)

Body language expert claims Prince Harry showed a ‘very non-royal’ side of him

She further explained that the Duke of Sussex “walks ahead, towing his wife along and allowing her to soak up all the attention with her elegant posture, that designer bag, and her perfect, Duchenne smiles and excited eye-smiles, while his own facial expression looks less performative for the cameras.'

James also shared her views on how Meghan and Marquez first met and greeted each other.

She mentioned, “Meghan greets the host warmly, using non-verbal signals that would normally imply a long, fond friendship. Her arms are held out to retain the clasp as though she is reluctant to let go and keen to chat while using eye contact and close attention signals.”

In this handout photo provided by the Colombian Vice President's Office, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (R), Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (C-R) and Vice President Francia Márquez (C-L) and her husband Yerney Pinillo (L) visit local charter school, Colegio Cultura Popular, on August 15, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are undertaking a four-day visit to Colombia. (Photo by Colombian Vice President's Office via Getty Images)
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Vice President Francia Marquez and her husband Yerney Pinillo visited a local charter school, Colegio Cultura Popular, on August 15, in Bogota, Colombia (Colombian Vice President's Office via Getty Images)

While about Harry, she added, “Harry responds with a very non-royal bow to signal respect and to lower his own status as his hand is held in a two-handed grasp of affection.”

Meghan Markle hailed for her good Spanish

Meanwhile, during their Thursday trip, the Sussexes also went to the city center public school Centro Nacional Cultura Popular, where the mother-of-two received praise for her knowledge of Spanish.

“She speaks Spanish well. We had to explain a few of our typical Colombian slang words that our students use and that caused a few laughs and jokes,” Headmaster Leonel Umana, 51, said.

In this handout photo provided by the Colombian Vice President's Office, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (C-L), Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (C-R) and Vice President Francia Márquez (C) and her husband Yerney Pinillo (C-R) visit local charter school, Colegio Cultura Popular, on August 15, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex are undertaking a four-day visit to Colombia. (Photo by Colombian Vice President's Office via Getty Images)
Meghan Markle was praised for her Spanish when she went to Colegio Cultura Popular, a charter school in Bogota, along with Prince Harry and Vice President Francia Marquez and her husband Yerney Pinillo (Colombian Vice President's Office via Getty Images)

He added, “At first, we were told that there were to be no mobile phones or pictures due to protocol. But when we finished the session and toured the school with them they broke the protocol and posed for pictures with the kids. Harry told the teachers to keep up their good work, which they loved.”

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