Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reveal what they're giving to Colombia after faux-royal tour

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their donations to Colombia following their quasi-royal tour, including drum sets, a learning environment, and upgrades to a 'socio-emotional gym.' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared these contributions through a new video montage that showcased their visits to various locations alongside Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez. The couple emphasized their commitment to global good through their Archewell Foundation, with the drum sets specifically going to Escuela Tambores de Cabildo, where they participated in a lesson during their visit.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a number of donations to conclude their Colombia tour this week, including providing school supplies to young students across the country 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also announced that they will donate funds to upgrade a 'secure environment' for children in San Basilio de Palenque, allowing them to explore, learn, and connect safely. Additionally, they are expanding the 'socio-emotional gym program' at Colegio La Giralda school. The couple emphasized that these three donations are part of their ongoing efforts to create a more equitable and compassionate world. They stated, "Each of these initiatives underscores our commitment to making a difference and supporting programs that uplift and empower individuals and communities."

The couple were invited to the nation by Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez (center right) for their faux-royal tour 

Despite accusations that their security costs amounted to over $1.5 million, Colombian officials have stated that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle financed their entire trip themselves, with additional support from international agencies. Their newly released video clip includes previously unseen footage from their visit, showcasing them dancing with local children, addressing large crowds, and exploring various culturally significant sites throughout Colombia.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visit Cartagena, Colombia on August 17, one of three major Colombian cities they stopped at during the quasi-royal tour 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's donations aim to enhance the learning environment in San Basilio de Palenque by providing resources for local children to attend school and learn safely. The expansion of the 'socio-emotional gym' at Colegio La Giralda focuses on fostering key childhood skills, such as conflict resolution and emotional resilience. These efforts underscore their dedication to advancing both educational and emotional development in the communities they engage with.

Prince Harry joined his wife Meghan on stage after she spoke at an event focused on empowering Afro-Colombian women 

During their trip, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle started in Bogotá with Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez, where they reportedly enjoyed traditional Colombian cheese bread known as pan de bono. As part of their Archewell Foundation efforts, the couple spent considerable time with local schoolchildren and immersed themselves in Colombian culture. At one school visit, Meghan spoke in Spanish, comparing a student’s age to their five-year-old son Archie by saying, "You're the same age as my son, Archie!"

Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia, on Saturday, August 17

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's trip to Colombia faced criticism from local media, which accused their quasi-royal tour of costing the country over $1.5 million in security expenses. The high cost, estimated at £375,000 a day, included the deployment of 3,000 police and soldiers, helicopters, sniffer dogs, bomb disposal units, and extensive security measures such as ballistic briefcases and bulletproof shields. This expenditure drew backlash, especially given Colombia's significant socio-economic challenges, with a third of the population living below the poverty line.

On their trip, the couple spent a significant amount of time with local schoolchildren and immersed themselves in the Colombian culture  

Andres Escobar, security chief of the city of Cali, expressed frustration on X, pointing out that the funds could have been used for essential community services. In response, Harry and Meghan clarified that they financed their trip and security costs themselves, with additional support from international agencies. El País reported that the Colombian Ministry of Equality and Equity confirmed this, stating that the Duke and Duchess covered their own expenses and those of their team.