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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry embraced the love and warmth of Colombia during their recent visit, where their affection for each other was on full display. On August 15, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex kicked offm their tour of the South American country with a stop at the National Centre for the Arts in Bogotá. During a cultural performance, Prince Harry, 39, shared a tender moment with Meghan, 43, by giving her a kiss on the forehead while wrapping his arm around her. Meghan smiled and leaned into her husband during the sweet exchange, placing her hand on his knee as they sat together.
Throughout their first day in Bogotá, the couple was frequently spotted holding hands, from their arrival to their visit to a local charter school. This public display of affection (PDA) is nothing new for Harry and Meghan, who have been known for their loving gestures since making their relationship public in 2017. The pair, who celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary in May, have always shown their affection openly, even after stepping back from their royal roles in 2020.
While there are no formal rules governing public displays of affection among members of the British royal family, it has traditionally been rare for royals to engage in such gestures during official engagements. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip set a more reserved tone during their 73-year marriage, avoiding PDA during their public appearances. However, younger generations of the royal family have taken a more relaxed approach, although couples like King Charles and Queen Camilla and Prince William and Kate Middleton usually maintain a more formal demeanor during official events.
Prince Harry and Meghan, however, have broken away from tradition, choosing to display their affection more freely. Their first public outing as a couple was at the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017, where they held hands, linked arms, and even shared a kiss. Since then, the couple has continued to sneak in loving gestures during various public appearances, such as Meghan wrapping an arm around Harry at the Bob Marley: One Love premiere in Jamaica earlier this year and holding hands at the Royal Salute Polo Match in Florida.
Meghan and Harry’s approach has been seen as a modern and relatable take on their royal roles, with etiquette expert Myka Meier noting that their affectionate behavior reflects a refreshing and approachable side of royalty. Their continued public displays of affection have only endeared them further to the public.
