Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Feel the Beat at Colombian Drum School: 'I Can Tell She's Excited,' Says Founder

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex toured a school preserving the art form of traditional African drumming

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are exploring a new city in Colombia as their international trip continues.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Cartagena on Aug. 17, the latest leg of their visit to the South American country. There, the couple visited Escuela Tambores de Cabildo, a local drum school working to preserve the art form of traditional African drumming.

Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 43, were welcomed to the hub with the sounds of booming drums and were greeted by school founder Rafael Ramos. Following an opening performance, they heard from members of the local community of all ages about the importance of preserving Cartagena's culture, specifically its Afro-Colombian roots.

As a gift, one student gave the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a small wooden boat, a tribute to the coastal city and its beaches.

Prince Harry and Meghan then joined a student-led drum lesson with Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo. The jam session was followed by a performance from some of the locals, which brought Meghan and Márquez to their feet.

Commenting on the Duchess of Sussex's reactions to the performances, Ramos said in Spanish, "I love seeing Meghan’s big, big smile. I can tell she’s excited!"

Related: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Colombia Trip: All the Best Photos...So Far

After the performances, Márquez gave a passionate speech about the importance of tradition in preserving Colombian heritage. The vice president touched on how cities like Cartagena epitomize Colombian culture, and how the art form of drumming in particular is a symbol of freedom for Black communities around the world.

Márquez also said that part of her inspiration to invite Prince Harry and Meghan to Colombia was because she views them as key voices against injustice.

"The Duke and Duchess came to Colombia… this is Colombia. This is where the roots of our ancestors and our forefathers are from," the vice president told the crowd that included members of her own family, who she brought along for the events. "A community like this cannot be displaced."

The stop marked the third school that Prince Harry and Meghan have visited during their Colombia trip. On Aug. 16, they discussed the positive and negative effects of social media with students at a charter school in Bogotá before stepping outside for recess, and the following day, the pair practiced their Spanish-speaking skills while visiting a kindergarten class in Santa Fe. Harry asked students their names and ages in the language, and Meghan brought up their 5-year-old son, Prince Archie, telling one student in Spanish: "You’re the same age as my son, Archie!"

Later in the day, Prince Harry and Meghan will visit a village with deep African historical significance, emphasizing their commitment to uplifting communities, a key pillar of their Archewell Foundation.

Cartagena is a northern port city on the country's Caribbean coast and the capital of the Bolívar department. It is one of the oldest colonial cities in South America, per National Geographic, and its walled city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The hub in the Caribbean Region is home to just over 1 million people, according to Statista, and the Republic of Colombia's official tourism site bills it as "a jewel of world heritage."

Related: Meghan Markle Supports Another Colombian Designer in Patterned Skirt During Visit to the Nation

Prince Harry and Meghan began their trip to Colombia in the capital city of Bogotá on Aug. 15, where they were welcomed by Márquez, who invited the couple to the country. The trip's itinerary highlights some of their longtime philanthropic interests, including the military community and female empowerment.

Márquez announced on Aug. 1 that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex "have kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country," with stops planned for Bogotá, Cartagena and Cali.

"In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress. In addition to these meaningful interactions, The Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia," the vice president said in part, noting that they would visit before a key meeting.

On Nov. 7 and 8, the Colombian government and other partners will host the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogota. The upcoming summit's aims to create safer online spaces connects to a key pillar of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Archewell Foundation, Building a Better Online World.

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Prince Harry and Meghan's official international trip to Colombia follows their three-day trip to Nigeria in May.

Nigeria and Colombia both joined the Invictus Games Community of Nations in 2022 and made their debut at the international adaptive sports tournament for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, founded by Prince Harry, in Düsseldorf last year. On Aug. 16, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent time with the Colombian team, where Harry joined a volleyball match while Meghan cheered from the sidelines.

Prince Harry and Meghan's trip to Nigeria focused on the Archewell Foundation's mental health initiatives for young people and promoting the Invictus Games, and the Duke of Sussex told PEOPLE that he and his wife looked forward to future travel abroad.

"There’s only so much one can do from home and over Zoom, so we look forward to traveling more because the work matters. Whether it's the Archewell Foundation, Invictus or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work," Prince Harry said.

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