Meghan Markle invited to Colombia to 'tell her story' after Netflix attack at Royal Family

As the tour kicked off today, Márquez revealed what inspired her to invite the Sussexes to Colombia.

She said: "I learned their story through Netflix and I was moved by it.

"Meghan is a woman who deserves to come to the country and tell her story."

The vice president added: "Last year we held a meeting on July 25, the day of Afro-descendant women.

"We wanted to invite Meghan, an Afro-descendant woman, to that meeting so she could share her experiences.

"We sent her a letter inviting her, and she replied saying that she couldn't come, but that she really wanted to get to know the country.

"Since then, we have been working for a year for this visit."

The first official photo of the Sussexes four-day tour in the South American nation shows Meghan and Márquez embracing.

The royal couple arrived in Bogota and met with the vice president and her husband.

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The two parties then went to Márquez's residence for coffee, tea, and traditional Colombian cheese bread before exchanging welcome gifts.

Harry and Meghan stayed at the residence for half an hour, where Márquez expressed her gratitude for the couple's visit, which will conclude on Sunday.

The vice president praised the Sussexes for sharing the same ideals and goals as her when it comes to championing a better, safer digital future and mental health landscape for children and the world.