Whenever a member of the Royal Family goes abroad, hordes of lip readers come into their element.
Take King Charles and Queen Camilla who embarked on a State Visit to Italy this week, or Prince William’s recent trip to a NATO base in Estonia.
The same goes for Harry and Meghan’s ‘quasi-royal’ tour of Colombia in August of last year.
When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Bogota, they were warmly embraced by vice president Francia Marquez, who invited the couple to the South American country after watching their revelatory Netflix series, Harry & Meghan.
After tea and coffee, the Sussexes visited Colegia Cultura Popular, a public school in the city centre.
Meghan wore a navy blue Veronica Beard suit – £448 trousers and a £598 waistcoat – paired with a £3,775 Loro Piana ‘Loom’ White handbag.
And Harry donned a matching navy suit, light blue shirt and black dress shoes.
Standing in their blue uniforms, the students had the chance to speak to the couple about technological change. This is when a professional lip reader caught the fleeting moment a ‘strained’ Meghan seemingly interrupted her husband.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive in Bogota on August 15, 2024
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex speak to students at Colegia Cultura Popular
Forensic lipreader Nicola Hickling noticed Harry go to say something to the Colombian student when Meghan cut him off.
Speaking to The Mirror, Nicola said: ‘Harry is about to say something (“look”) when Meghan interrupts him and speaks to the boy.
‘Meghan’s eyes are closed and she clasps her hands together, it’s almost like she is straining to speak at first.’
As seen in the clip, Harry slams his mouth shut and looks at his wife, before he nods his head slightly.
According to the lip reader, Meghan told the student: ‘So, so you won an award in products, is that right?’
When she finished speaking, Harry then asked the boy a follow-up question: ‘How serious were you when you took on this offer?’
The Duchess later described the group of students as incredibly ‘impressive, smart and savvy’ and highlighted the importance of them aiming to be ‘self reliant and not tech reliant.’
It is unsurprising that Meghan took the lead when speaking given her ability to speak Spanish – which she picked up after interning at the US Embassy in Argentina in 2002.
Forensic lipreader Nicola Hickling noticed Harry go to say something to the Colombian student when Meghan cut him off
The Duchess later described the group of students as incredibly ‘impressive, smart and savvy’
It is unsurprising that Meghan took the lead when speaking to Colombian locals given her ability to speak Spanish after interning at the US Embassy in Argentina in 2002
Harry practices his Spanish at Colegio Cultura Popular
Meghan hugs vice president Francia Marquez, who invited the couple to the South American country after watching their revelatory Netflix series
On the second day of their visit, Meghan showed off her language skills when she told a student in the nursery class at La Giralda school in Spanish: ‘You’re the same age as my son Archie.’
Meanwhile, the Duke practiced his beginner-level Spanish by asking the youngsters for their names and ages.
The Sussexes also took part in a forum paying tribute to the contributions of Afro-Colombian women, leaders and entrepreneurs.
Harry listened through an ear piece to a simultaneous translation as his wife delivered a passionate speech in Spanish.
Addressing the audience in their official language, Meghan said: ‘I’d like to start in Spanish because we are in your country, my husband and I, and because I feel the embrace in Colombia. It’s incredible.
‘So thank you, thank you very much, because the culture, the history, everything has been like a dream on this trip.
‘And I’m sorry that my Spanish isn’t perfect, because I learned it in Argentina 20 years ago, but I’m trying [it] here because I can feel this community and this feeling is the best in the world so thank you very much to the vice president, my friend, thank you very much.’
Although there seemed to be a rather awkward interaction at the start of their visit, Meghan more than made up for it as she made Harry the centre of attention on the rest of the tour.
Meghan kneels down as she speaks to a young girl in the school’s kindergarten
The couple smile as they pose for a photo with students wearing traditional Colombian clothing
Meghan Markle speaks to the audience in Spanish during the ‘Afro women and power’ forum
Harry listens through an ear piece to a simultaneous translation at the event
A series of photos show the loved-up pair holding hands while watching folk dancers on the first day of their visit in what body language expert Judi James told MailOnline was a ‘tie-sign of ownership and affection’.
She said: ‘Meghan’s hand on Harry’s knee is a tie-sign of ownership and affection as it suggests she still can’t keep her hands off him. It would also act as a connecting signal of approval and reassurance if Harry has an qualms about the visit or event.
‘It’s Meghan who acts like the lead and host for Harry so far on this tour, introducing him to the VP and taking some central spots in the more formal poses, so this “stroking” suggests he still has her love and support. Harry’s response comes as he places one hand over hers to show he appreciates the bonding gesture.
‘Meghan’s other key “stroking” ritual comes from her eye-gazing, where she throws Harry some extended, loving glances or teasing, flirty smiles or raises her brows or aims a “pinging” laugh at him to show he is still the centre of her attention and to encourage him to relax and laugh himself.
‘Even during this first day of the tour she seems to be showing that she is hanging on his every word here.
‘Meghan’s “love swoon” ritual is one of the most intensely affectionate pieces we have seen from the couple and that is a very high bar.
‘Standing together, Meghan folds her hands in a soft, elegant gesture and places them over her heart as she leans her head onto Harry’s shoulder.
‘Her mouth smile is wide but her eye expression is softened and lowered, as though she is reflecting on their love in a romantic moment.
Harry and Meghan at Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata in Bogota where they are treated to a vibrant tribal dance
Meghan touches Harry’s knee during what body language expert Judi James described as a ‘tie-sign of ownership and affection’
‘And it has to be said that Harry totally joins in here, making the romantic-looking signals reciprocal and evenly-matched.
‘Keeping one hand slung into his jeans pocket to create a manly-looking display along with his leg splay, he bends to kiss his wife on the head here, performing a coy-looking “in love” smile as he does so.’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit cost the Colombia a total of Col$244,245,305 (£44,725.14), which included expenditure on security and internal transport throughout the trip.
The figure was released by Colombia’s vice-president Francia Marquez, who organised the trip, following a request by Senator Maria Fernanda Cabal.
Ms Cabal, who is her political opponent, previously branded the quasi-royal tour between August 15 and 18 as ‘showmanship’ and ‘wasteful spending’.
But the vice-president’s office also revealed that Harry and Meghan paid for their own flights and accommodation in Bogota as well as general expenses.
