Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are known for often putting on affectionate displays when in public – and a lip reader has decoded an exchange during one tactile appearance
A lip-reader has decoded a snappy exchange between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle when they were on their royal-style tour of Colombia.
The Sussexes embarked on their trip to the South American country last year to back projects aimed at safeguarding young people from online harm, arriving hand-in-hand in Bogota to meet Vice President Francia Márquez and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo.
After their first engagement in the nation’s capital, Harry and Meghan were seen on camera holding hands as they left the Vice President’s office, where a lip-reader captured a quick but simple demand being exchanged by the royal couple. It’s not the first time a lip-reader has witnessed an unexpected exchange between the two, as Harry was seen “mansplaining” to Meghan on the Palace balcony .
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According to professional lip reader Nicola Hickling, Meghan quietly muttered an order to Harry, saying simply, “hand”, before he replied, “Here you go.”
Harry and Meghan were invited to Colombia by Vice President Marquez, who led a press conference ahead of their arrival, where she revealed she was moved to invite Harry and Meghan to the country after watching their Netflix documentary series, where they spoke freely about their turbulent time as working members of the royal family.
Vice President Marquez explained: “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.”
Harry and Meghan’s packed itinerary over the days of their non-official visit saw them visit local schools to encourage students to improve their digital literacy and promote a greater awareness of mental health.
They also “had the exceptional opportunity to engage with elders, youth and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians,” as they visited a children’s school, before meeting with the Colombian Invictus team.
The Sussexes trip was quickly dubbed a “DIY royal tour”, as despite having all the earmarks of an official state visit, Harry and Meghan were not acting on behalf of the Firm for their journey to South America.
Their trip to Colombia raised eyebrows from many, as Harry and Meghan were flanked by a heavy private security presence at their engagements. The intense security detail led to many asking who footed the bill for their four-day tour.
In a statement put out by the office of vice president Francia Marquez, it said: “This visit was the result of a collective effort. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex financed their trip and that of their team with their own resources. The events held in the various places visited were co-financed with resources from international cooperation and philanthropy that generously contributed to this visit.
“The Ministry of Equality and Equity and the Vice Presidency guaranteed the technical requirements, mobility and participation of young people, women and communities.”
