Why Do the Sussexes Take These Trips?
Plus, a recap of their busy weekend in Colombia.
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On Sunday, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex finished their third international trip of the year. They spent four days furthering their charitable work in Bogotá, Cartagena, and Cali, Colombia, including discussions around internet safety, a training session for the Invictus Games, and a panel about empowering women and girls.
These trips tend to receive a lot of attention — as well as criticism from certain segments (particularly the British tabloids and corners of social media). There is an eagerness to compare them to a royal tour. And yes, in many ways the Sussexes’s time in Colombia looked and felt like the official visits from the House of Windsor. The couple undertook a packed diary of engagements while Meghan treated us to some (really fantastic) diplomatic fashion.
However, the thrust of the Sussexes’s travel is markedly different. Harry and Meghan are not traveling on government business but rather using the attention they receive to raise awareness around issues and places they care about. Like I said following their visit to Nigeria in May, this makes a lot of sense to me. The couple is visiting places where they have been invited; once there, they have been overwhelmingly welcomed by the crowds.
Even more so than the Invictus-focused trip before this, their time in Colombia reminded me of the work of Princess Diana. Harry’s mother took a few similar high-profile trips after her divorce, something people praise her for now. And, like Diana was, Harry and Meghan are really good at this type of work, deft at meeting new people and joining activities — all in service to the causes they care about.
ICYMI: Here is my primer on Colombia plus a look at the first day and a half of Harry and Meghan’s trip. Keep scrolling for summaries of the remaining days, including drumming in Cartagena and salsa dancing in Cali, as well as pictures from each stop.
🇨🇴 What did you think of their trip to Colombia? Please click below to share in the comments.
Stay tuned: My fashion commentary — aka my SMTs — on Meghan’s tour-drobe will be added to the archive here on Substack. Looking for links to what the duchess wore? You’ll find them all here. (Yes, yes I did buy that Veronica Beard vest suit…can’t wait for it to arrive.)
But first!
✏️ Heading back to school? Consider helping a teacher in need! Here is a spreadsheet of teachers and their supply lists. (PS: Also call your local elected officials to demand more funding so educators don’t need to do this in the first place.)
🇺🇸 As the presidential election heats up, and with the Democratic National Convention this week in my hometown of Chicago, my mind is going to political fashion. What are you wearing to support an issue or a candidate? Please let me know here! I’ll select some of my faves to share on Substack and Instagram.
