When it comes to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s tour of Colombia so far, I know I mentioned dozens of photos, but I’d like to zoom in first on a single shot: It’s a candid, snapped last night at the National Centre for the Arts in Bogotá. There’s Meghan Markle, wearing a gorgeous Johanna Ortiz dress, and Prince Harry, with his arm wrapped tightly around his wife as she leans into his side. The pair was on hand to take in an artistic performance alongside Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez, but in between the mixing and mingling, there was this image—and a single forehead kiss from Prince Harry.
I’ve Combed Through Countless Pics of Meghan & Harry’s Colombia Tour—and There’s a Single Detail That Always Stands Out
Professionalism with a side of PDA
Published Aug 16, 2024
•4:53pm
Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images
Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images
But that’s just it and, quite frankly, what the Sussexes do so well: Their genuine (and touchy feely) affection for each other, whether they’re on a non-royal tour of Colombia—or, heck, seated side-by-side at an event like the ESPYs—always rings through loud and clear.
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It’s not that members of the royal family don’t engage in public PDA. In fact, Prince Harry’s own mother, the late Princess Diana, famously kicked it off with the first-ever balcony kiss on her wedding day to the now-King Charles back in 1981. More recent examples include Kate Middleton’s subtle butt tap of her husband Prince William at the 2023 BAFTAs, Queen Camilla’s strategically placed hand on King Charles’s backside during the Japan State Visit, even a deep and soulful glance like the one Kate and William shared during Trooping the Colour this spring.
Breaking royal protocol? PDA does not. (The effort to keep things formal is more likely related to British decorum than anything else.) But it’s much less typical to catch these types of moments within the monarchy whereas, for Harry and Meghan, it’s the norm.
Karwai Tang/Chris Jackson/Pool/Getty Images
The funny thing is that’s always been the case. Flash back to when the pair made their official debut at the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017, holding hands the bulk of the time. Even their first official royal tour of Australia and New Zealand in the fall of 2018, which took place long before they quit their royal roles in January 2020. There was hand-holding and arm touching—the works.
It’s that easy and natural physical connectedness that captivates and, back to the images that continue to roll out from Colombia, is a reminder of exactly why they were so good at the royal job.
Handout/Getty Images
Don’t get me wrong—I’m well aware that Harry and Meghan are no longer representing the royal family and are free from any formality that may (or may not have) dictated the way they presented themselves on the job. (Additionally, certain people are simply more comfortable with PDA—and that’s OK.)
Still, I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the lovey dovey displays they tend to sneak in and demonstrate, often in the presence of others. It’s one of the quickest ways to make others feel at ease, not to mention draw a line between their personal and professional sides. More than anything, it adds to their relatability as they use their megaphone to shine a spotlight on important causes—a win-win.
As for what’s next in Colombia, Harry and Meghan are off to Cartagena and Cali, where they’ll continue to talk about their digital advocacy and protecting children in the online space. I’ll be watching their work, but also their affection for each other, of course.
