Meghan Markle managed to bring some levity to the audience in Cali, Colombia, during a stop on the Sussexes’ ‘quasi-royal’ tour. The Duchess of Sussex, who was due to deliver a speech at the Afro Women and Power Forum, drew a friendly laugh from the crowd even before she spoke, thanks to a quick-thinking move to combat the sweltering 33-degree heat.
Seated on stage at the city’s Municipal Theatre, Meghan, 43, appeared visibly uncomfortable in the intense heat. In a move that showcased her down-to-earth charm, she took matters into her own hands by marching across the stage to reposition a fan, which was not adequately cooling the panel. Her decisive action, combined with her glamorous ensemble—a sequined skirt by Miami-based designer Silvia Tcherassi and a sleeveless white shirt—earned her applause from the audience, who appreciated the effort to make the event more comfortable.
The light-hearted moment, captured by Colombian news site Tubarco.news and shared on social media, was just one highlight of the day. As she took the stage, Meghan began her speech in Spanish, acknowledging the warmth of the Colombian people and expressing gratitude for the experience. “I would like to begin in Spanish because we are in your country, my husband and I, and I can feel this embrace from Colombia,” she said, earning a huge cheer from the audience.
Meghan also referred to Colombia’s Vice President Francia Márquez as “my friend,” a term that a local journalist noted as a powerful statement of their growing rapport. However, the Duchess’s speech also featured a familiar story that has raised eyebrows in the past.
Recounting her well-worn anecdote about writing to Procter & Gamble at age 11 to protest a sexist soap commercial, Meghan spoke about the importance of using one’s voice to effect change. “I was very, very fortunate at a young age to feel as though my voice was being heard,” she said. “When you’re 11 years old, you realize very quickly that your small voice can have a very large impact.”
While the story has become a staple in Meghan’s public speaking repertoire, it has not been without controversy. The anecdote was reportedly cut from a 2017 Vanity Fair cover story after fact-checkers raised questions about its accuracy, as detailed in Tom Bower’s 2022 biography, Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors. Despite the questions surrounding the tale, Meghan continues to use it as an example of early empowerment.
Meghan’s speech, along with her ability to connect with the Colombian audience, underscored the charm and poise that have made her a global figure. However, the inclusion of the Procter & Gamble story, despite its questioned validity, suggests that the Duchess is determined to maintain control over her narrative, even as it sparks debate.
As the Sussexes concluded their tour of Colombia, moments like these highlighted both the couple’s ability to captivate an audience and the complexities that come with their unique position on the world stage.
