The third day of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's much-publicized tour of Colombia was intended to showcase the rich culture of the Afro-Caribbean village of San Basilio de Palenque. However, it quickly devolved into another chapter of the couple's ongoing public drama. This time, Harry appeared particularly frustrated with Meghan’s notorious grip, which she uses to navigate their public appearances.
Their journey to the village was nothing short of an ordeal, involving a 30-minute helicopter ride from Cartagena followed by a bumpy, 15-minute drive along a pothole-ridden road, guarded by soldiers and even a tank. Meghan was dressed for the occasion in a white linen skirt, a sleeveless blouse, and a Panama hat, ideal for the sweltering 30°C heat. Harry, in contrast, seemed to struggle with the climate, his light blue linen shirt showing conspicuous sweat stains.
Upon arriving at the village square, where local artisans displayed traditional crafts, Meghan immediately seized Harry’s hand. However, this was no tender gesture of affection. Meghan’s grip was firm and purposeful, as though she was dragging him along, directing his every move. The forcefulness of her grip made it almost seem as if Harry were incapable of moving without her guidance.
The tension was evident; Meghan's determination to keep Harry exactly where she wanted him contrasted sharply with his evident discomfort. He looked disinterested and weary, his attempts to subtly pull away from her grasp noticeable despite his efforts to maintain a polite demeanor. The disparity between Meghan’s forced smiles and Harry’s clear detachment was striking. Meghan, with her determined hand-holding, appeared desperate to project an image of a content couple, while Harry looked increasingly resigned.
The situation seemed absurd. Here they were, on a cultural tour, yet the attention was fixated on the peculiar dynamics of their relationship. Meghan's clinginess and Harry's apparent aversion highlighted the underlying strain between them. Their hand-holding, far from being a symbol of affection, seemed more like a power struggle.
As the day progressed, it became increasingly clear that the hand-holding was less about showing love and more about exerting control. Meghan’s efforts to maintain appearances only underscored the tensions in their relationship, while Harry’s attempts to distance himself spoke volumes. The carefully curated image of a loving, united couple was visibly unraveling. The Colombian tour, meant to be a cultural exchange, instead turned into a showcase of a relationship facing significant challenges.
