Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have captured attention with their tour in Colombia. Ever since they stepped away from royal duties, all eyes have been on them, and their actions have sparked plenty of online discussions.
During one of their appearances, a brief moment was closely analyzed, and a lip reader claimed that the Duchess had given her husband a short instruction.
The lip reader described what she allegedly said and how he reacted, sparking concern among social media users.
The couple’s interactions also drew the attention of body language experts, who offered surprising insights into their dynamic during this high-profile visit.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Busy Visit to Colombia
On August 15, 2024, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrived in Bogotá, the lively capital of Colombia, to begin their much-anticipated four-day tour of the country.
The couple’s visit started on a warm and positive note, thanks to a special invitation from Colombia’s Vice President, Francia Márquez, and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo.
The invitation was rooted in shared goals related to social justice and leadership, which set the stage for what some called a "DIY royal tour."
When they arrived, they were welcomed with an itinerary full of events that celebrated Colombia’s rich culture and history.
Throughout the tour, the couple showed unity, holding hands and sharing warm looks that did not go unnoticed by the public.
The trip also highlighted a historic connection between Colombia and Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.
Vice President Márquez mentioned during a press briefing that Diana had once considered a visit to Colombia before her untimely death in 1997.
"I think that Prince Harry being here today after that dream of his mom's of visiting this country is an opportunity to show the best of our nation, to show who Colombians are. We are people who in the midst of adversities do everything possible to give the best of ourselves," Márquez said.
She also shared what inspired her to invite Harry and Meghan. She explained that watching the Netflix series "Harry & Meghan,", which detailed the couple's story and their challenges within the British Royal Family, had left a significant impression on her.
"I saw the Netflix series about their life, their story, and that moved me and motivated me to say that this is a woman who deserves to come to our country and tell her story, and her exchange will undoubtedly be an empowerment to so many women in the world," Márquez added.
Her appreciation for Markle's resilience and advocacy played a big role in planning the visit, which aimed to encourage collaboration on important issues like cyberbullying and online harassment.
The Vice President and the royal couple shared the common goal of supporting women's empowerment and promoting digital safety. Márquez expressed her eagerness to work together with Markle and Prince Harry, especially considering their efforts through their Archewell Foundation.
Colombia's involvement in the 2023 Invictus Games was another notable connection, as it was the first South American country to participate in the event. The Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, is an international sporting competition for service members who have been wounded, injured, or become sick.
This trip marked the couple’s first official visit to Colombia. Their itinerary included stops in cities like Cartagena and Cali.
Their visit came at an important time, as Colombia was preparing to host the first-ever World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children in November.
The focus of the Archewell Foundation on child protection aligned perfectly with the conference’s mission, and their involvement was expected to draw more attention to the importance of protecting children's rights worldwide.
The couple received a warm and culturally rich welcome, with Colombia rolling out the red carpet for their visit.
Lip Reader Claims Markle Gave Prince Harry a Direct Order
As the couple made their much-talked-about arrival in Colombia, Markle turned heads in a sleek navy vest with a collar and matching pants by Veronica Beard. Prince Harry matched her style with a perfectly tailored dark suit.
But it wasn’t just their fashion that caught attention. As they stepped out to a warm reception, professional lip-reader Nicola Hickling noted a brief exchange between the couple.
Hickling reported that Markle gave Harry a clear instruction when she said, "Hand," to which Harry replied, "Here you go,", before complying. This revelation led social media users to share their opinions on the moment.
"Poor Harry," one user posted. "He should have moved away with Chelsea instead. She seemed to love and respect him a lot more.....hence why she left him because she knew she couldn't live the royal family life and didn't want him to give it up," another added.
Some social media users questioned the couple's choice to travel to Colombia, with one remarking, "London is too dangerous so they go to Colombia? Really? Poor Harry [has] totally lost the plot."
Body Language Experts Analyze the Coupleβs Behavior
To kick off their visit, Markle and Prince Harry were treated to a traditional Colombian snack called pandebono, a cheesy bread, paired with freshly brewed coffee at Vice President Márquez's home.
Body language expert Judi James noted that Prince Harry's demeanor seemed to indicate that he was intentionally taking a step back from the spotlight. James explained that Harry appeared to downplay his status as a royal during interactions, allowing Markle to take the lead.
"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," James said.
She pointed out that his subtle expressions and calm behavior suggested he was happy to let Markle be the main focus during the visit.
James also observed that Markle's confident and graceful body language was quite different from her husband's more reserved approach. While Markle greeted the Vice President warmly, showing familiarity, Prince Harry’s introduction was more understated.
"Meghan greets the host warmly, using non-verbal signals that would normally imply a long, fond friendship," James noted.
Markle's extended handshake and friendly smile made it seem as though she was genuinely delighted to introduce Harry to Márquez, almost as if she were acting as the bridge between them.
Prince Harry, meanwhile, responded with a polite bow and engaged in a two-handed handshake with Márquez, signaling respect. The couple’s public moments throughout the day offered even more insight into their relationship dynamic.
When greeting their fans, Markle struck a pose that James described as "Hey, I'm here!", radiating confidence and charm. Her wide, balanced smile and steady stance highlighted how comfortable she was in the public eye.
James explained that Markle’s confident display showed she was fully embracing her public role. On the other hand, Harry’s body language suggested a difference in their comfort levels.
Later in the visit, the couple attended a performance at the Delia Zapata National Centre for the Arts.
Markle wore a bright pink dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, which many saw as a thoughtful nod to local culture.
They watched the performance alongside Vice President Márquez.
Markle was seen chatting with the Vice President, pointing out various details in the dancers' outfits before shaking hands with the performers after the show.
The couple also applauded and interacted with other attendees.
But those observing closely noticed Prince Harry's discomfort.
Despite his royal background, he appeared less at ease than Markle.
"At times, he was actively laughing and chatting using animated gesticulation, but there were also 'flash' moments when his smile dropped and his facial expression looked almost dour in comparison to his wife's," James commented.
She added that Harry's frequent shifting and small gestures hinted at a level of nervousness, which stood in contrast to Markle's composed and confident presence.
Michael Cole, a former BBC Royal Correspondent, also shared his analysis, pointing out the clear difference between Markle’s confident attitude and Harry’s more cautious stance.
Speaking to GB News, Cole said, "If you look at Meghan, she's there, she comes out, she's got the suit, she's got the smile, she is on point, and she's doing everything that she could have done had she stayed within the bosom of the Royal Family, and doing it rather well."
He noted that Prince Harry’s body language seemed to show hesitation and distance.
Although he did manage to smile occasionally, it was clear that Markle was the more enthusiastic one during their public appearances.
Cole’s observations emphasized how Markle appeared to be taking charge during their engagements.
"She seems to be running the show," Cole added, referring to the moment when Markle instructed Harry to hold her hand.
As their tour continued, the contrast in their body language became more noticeable, leading to ongoing discussions about how their dynamic has evolved during international visits.
Despite the attention on their behavior, Cole commended their desire to contribute positively. He said, "Obviously they want to do good. There's an awful lot of good that needs doing in the world, and if they can do some, jolly good for them."
The focus on their interactions shows how every small gesture and moment between them continues to captivate the public’s interest and spark conversations.