Prince Harry and Meghan Markle set to visit 'anti-colonial' town in Colombia
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be given a tour of San Basilio de Palenque during their trip this week.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to visit an "anti-colonial" town in Colombia this week, it has been revealed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will pay a visit to San Basilio de Palenque, a small town with a population of around 3,500 people.
The town, which is an hour’s drive south-east of the Caribbean coast city of Cartagena, is one of the secret walled communities known as palenques founded by escaped slaves as a refuge in the 17th century. In the present day, the town has now become symbolic of Afro-Colombian heritage.
It was given intangible cultural heritage of humanity status by Unesco in 2008, and is widely regarded as a symbol of anti-colonialism, with the town's residents descended from slaves who rebelled against the authorities in the 1700s.
During their four-day visit to Columbia, the couple will also visit the Petronio Alvarez Festival in Cali - which is a celebration of Afro-Colombian music and culture in Latin America.
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Meghan and Harry - who were invited by Francia Marquez, the country’s vice-president - will travel to Colombia on August 15.
After the announcing their visit earlier this month, Francia said that Meghan and Harry would "have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress".
Further speaking of the forthcoming trip, she added: "In addition to these meaningful interactions, The Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia."
It remains unknown whether the couple will be travelling alone or with their children - Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.
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Recently speaking to OK!, a source claimed that Meghan is planning to prove "how much the Royal Family misses her".
They said: "Meghan sees this Colombia tour as her chance to prove to the world what a big star she is and how much the Royal Family misses her.
"She knows how much she can turn it on and doing events like this was the one thing about royal life that appealed to her. She was furious when that was taken away because she knows she's such an asset.
"She feels her and Harry together really shine when meeting dignitaries and locals, and it helps with the brand and their plan to be the alternative Royal Family."
