The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are making waves in Colombia, particularly in the vibrant city of Cali, known as the salsa capital of the world. Their visit, filled with meaningful engagements, reached a pinnacle during a women’s empowerment forum at the Municipal Theatre on August 18, 2024.
Meghan Markle, dressed in a chic sleeveless button-down top and a sequined midi skirt by Colombian designer Silvia Tcherassi, a sleeveless white shirt from Mango, bright magenta Manolo Blahnik pumps and gold fan drop earrings — a special gift from Vice President Francia Márquez.
During the event, which focused on uplifting Afro-Colombian women, Meghan removed her earpiece and addressed the crowd directly in Spanish. The gesture was met with warm applause, and Meghan playfully mimed wiping sweat from her forehead before switching back to English.
Meghan speaks during the forum in Spanish —
Hearing Meghan speaking Spanish in my country is so special 🥹#HarryandMeghaninColombia pic.twitter.com/QAq9bk0399
— Julieth ❀ (@troubleshade) August 18, 2024
She spoke about her trip to Colombia —
This trip was like in my dream, because here I can feel the community and this feeling is the best in the world.”
Meghan also addressed the group in English, emphasizing the importance of representation and her commitment to creating spaces where women’s voices are truly heard. She spoke about the powerful impact of empowering young girls to use their voices, noting that Princess Lilibet Diana, at just three years old, already has a strong voice. Meghan expressed her determination to nurture that confidence, believing that everyone should have the opportunity to be their best selves, without ever being made to feel small or unheard.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Meghan shared —
I was very, very fortunate at a young age to feel as though my voice was being heard, and I think that is a luxury that a lot of young girls and women aren’t often afforded.”
If you’re going to be grateful for your life, you’ve got to be grateful for all aspects of it – the parts that were opportunities of growth & may have felt really difficult as well as the parts that feel inspiring, joyful & full.” — Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex
Princess Meghan talking in English here that representation matters and she is inspired to create spaces where women’s voices can be heard. She supports the ripple effect of building up young girls to use their voice. She loves that Princess Lilibet Diana at 3yrs old already has… pic.twitter.com/50N68a72po
— Glow Lee (@GlowanneLee) August 18, 2024
Prince Harry, who accompanied Meghan on stage, also spoke to the crowd, underscoring the power of community and unity. “What we are seeing here is everything that is a community… They are stronger together, they are stronger united as one,” he remarked.
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Following the forum today, the couple attended a music festival and took part in Salsa dancing. We have a few clips of the couple dancing below. Cali, Colombia is the salsa capital of the world.
#NoticiasCali | Harry y Meghan, duques de Sussex, bailando salsa en el oriente de Cali pic.twitter.com/EGaq5cXsR5
— TUBARCO (@tubarconews) August 18, 2024
Meghan wore a white t-shirt and linen midi skirt with tan sandals.
Happily ever after. 🥰#HarryandMeghaninColombia pic.twitter.com/bTMM6CtRhw
— ChrisBaronSmith (@ChrisBaronSmit1) August 18, 2024
We will update the post once we have photos from today the event.
Here is our look at what Meghan wore for today’s forum.
Meghan wore.a new skirt from Silvia Tcherassi — Blair Skirt Multi Pastel Sequins, $1,390. Also available at Saks here and Silvia’s site here.
Harper’s Bazaar shared that The Duchess wore the Mango ‘Paula’ Sleeveless Cotton Shirt, $50 (no longer available).
We also found several others that are a great option to get the look.
Banana Republic, $70 / J.Crew Factory, now $27 / Lands End, now $49
Thanks to Mary of Meghan’s Closet Chronicles for the initial find of the shirt.
She wore a new pair of filigree gold fan earrings that were a special gift from Vice President Francia Márquez, handmade by artisans in the Chocó region of Colombia.
We have a few options to “get the look” below.
Etsy fan earrings, $38 / Etsy gold fan earrings, $6 / Ross Simons 14K gold earrings, $419
Meghan accessorized with her staple pieces, including the Cartier ‘Love’ bracelet, Tank watch, and a beaded open style bangle. We’ll be omitting the Cartier items in future posts since they are part of her everyday look.
Her shoes are the Manolo Blahnik ‘BB’ 105 pump in bright magenta (no longer available). She first wore the shoe for The Power of Women event, November 2022.
Get the look with these pumps from Walmart, $46.
I wish I owned the skirt and shoes. Lovely look!
I am not sure if this is allowed, but if anyone loved the shoes, there are good dupes out there to purchase in many different prices.
I had a pair arrive today. L K Bennett Fern court shoes, suede magenta, NWOB $345.00 for $45.00. Clear plastic protection and price tags were still on leather soles. Thanks for the idea to look for an affordable dupe.
She has been knocking it out of the park these past few days! Colombia really brought so much colour and joy to her wardrobe, this skirt is everything and I love that she acessorized it with Manolo’s purple pumps!
I absolutely adore the earrings that Meghan received from VP Marquez. And I’ve love seeing Harry & Meghan do their philanthropic work. I think it’s great that VP Marquez want to uplift Afro-Colombian women & that Meghan participated in that event.
🤣🤣🤣 C’était génial de les voir danser et de savourer le moment, le public a été très ému par leur sincérité et don de soi.
Vraiment comme d’habitude, Meghan est magnifique dans le chois de ses vêtements tout comme Harry.
Il y a beaucoup de ses tenues que je vais copier à défaut de les payer.
Translation:
It was great to see them dance and savor the moment, the audience was very moved by their sincerity and self-sacrifice.
Really as usual, Meghan is magnificent in her choice of clothes just like Harry.
There are a lot of her outfits that I will copy if I don’t pay for them.
The video of them dancing…. 🥰 This has been such a great “tour” to watch. Thank you for your coverage!