Meghan Markle discusses the importance of becoming 'self-reliant' on Colombia tour with Prince Harry
Meghan met with schoolchildren on her first day of engagements in Colombia
PA/Archewell
Meghan Markle has opened up on the importance of being "self-reliant and not tech-reliant" to schoolchildren in Colombia on the first day of her and Harry's landmark "royal tour".
The duchess had visited a local charter school, Colegio Cultura Popular, in the Colombian capital of Bogota for her first round of engagements.
Meghan was pictured greeting and taking selfies with local students before joining in on an "Insight Session" at the school.
In the session, the Duchess of Sussex talked at length about social media, while Prince Harry asked pupils how they managed their online presence - mirroring what the pair had spoken out on in their CBS interview just weeks ago.
Meghan posed with local students on her visit
Archewell
The duchess shared words with Colombia's vice president
Reuters
The Sussexes were greeted by a student, Jose David, as well as the school's headmaster Leonel Umana Parra before talking to a larger group of pupils inside.
Meghan described the group as "impressive, smart, and savvy" and talked up the importance of the students striving to be “self-reliant and not tech-reliant."
While after the session, the pair - alongside Vice President Francia Marquez - joined pupils at breaktime, where they greeted more students and teachers who were reportedly very eager to meet the royal couple.
Students let out excited screams on the playground and in neighbouring classrooms while the duke and duchess walked throughout the grounds.
MORE ON THE SUSSEXES' SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR:
- Harry and Meghan torn apart in scathing rant over 'hypocritical' Colombia trip: 'Don't believe a word they say!'
- Meghan Markle invited to Colombia to 'tell her story' after Netflix attack at Royal Family
- Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: ‘Question everyone is asking’ about Colombia trip raised as couple arrive
Meghan beamed at Harry on their first day of engagements in Colombia
Reuters
Students in the playground even took selfies with the touring duchess
Archewell
The couple's appearance alongside the VP follows the reveal that Marquez invited them to Colombia after watching their Netflix show.
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 continued: "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."
The Sussexes stepped out at Bogota's Teatro Delia Zapata Olivella
Reuters
Meghan embraced Vice President Francia Marquez as she arrived in the South American nation
Eric Charbonneau for Archewell
Ahead of their appearance at the school, Marquez described the Sussexes' trip as "very special" as the couple continue their quest against cyber-bullying, discrimination and online digital violence.
But Meghan's sartorial choices in the Colombian capital have raised eyebrows.
During today's visit, the duchess sported a Veronica Beard summer suit valued at over £1,000 - alongside a £3,775 Loro Piana handbag and footwear resembling a pair of £595 Manolo Blahnik court shoes.
That totals some £5,400 - over half the average annual salary in Colombia, estimated to fall at around £9,500.
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