On the third day of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's much-publicized tour of Colombia, the visit to the Afro-Caribbean village of San Basilio de Palenque was intended to be a cultural immersion.
However, the true drama unfolded not in the vibrant streets of the village but in the interactions between the couple themselves. Harry appeared increasingly frustrated with Meghan’s notorious "claw"—the firm grip she often uses to guide him through public events. In this picturesque village, with its rich culture and history, their awkward public display of affection, or lack thereof, became the focal point.
The entire trip seemed like a meticulously planned military operation. After a brief half-hour helicopter ride from Cartagena, the couple endured a jarring 15-minute drive over a pothole-riddled road, flanked by soldiers and even a tank. Meghan, ever the style icon, chose a white linen skirt, a sleeveless blouse, and a Panama hat—an ensemble perfectly suited for the sweltering 30°C (86°F) heat. Harry, on the other hand, appeared less comfortable in the climate, his light blue linen shirt already betraying him with sweat stains under his arms.
As they arrived at the village square, where local artisans had set up stalls showcasing traditional handicrafts, Meghan immediately clutched Harry's hand. However, this was no tender, loving gesture; it was a grip with a purpose. Meghan's hold seemed to drag Harry along, directing his every step. Her forceful energy was almost palpable, raising the question: was Harry incapable of walking unaided? The tension in Meghan’s arm was evident, and her determination to steer Harry exactly where she wanted him was unmistakable. This wasn’t a simple walk through a village; it was a display of power and control. Harry, for his part, looked utterly disengaged, as if he would rather be anywhere else.
The contrast between Meghan's forced smiles and Harry's clear discomfort was impossible to ignore. Meghan’s plastered grin and her determined double hand-hold seemed like a desperate attempt to maintain the image of a happy couple, while Harry appeared completely disinterested, his eyes never once meeting hers. The act of holding hands, which should be a simple gesture of affection, seemed to have become a burden—a tiresome chore that Harry no longer had the patience for. The entire situation was surreal; they were supposed to be on a cultural tour, yet all attention was focused on the bizarre dynamics of their relationship.
Meghan's clinginess and Harry's visible discomfort painted a picture of a couple struggling to maintain appearances. Their body language spoke volumes: this was not a partnership of equals. Royal protocol has always frowned upon public displays of affection, and for good reason. Even the most deeply in love couples have disagreements, and when those disagreements manifest in body language, they are painfully obvious. Harry and Meghan, however, seemed determined to make a statement with their constant handholding and public displays of affection. Unfortunately, that statement was falling flat. In San Basilio de Palenque, the cracks in their carefully curated image were on full display. Meghan's controlling energy and Harry's obvious disdain highlighted the underlying tension in their relationship. The "claw" had met its match, and Harry was no longer willing to play along.
As the day wore on, it became increasingly apparent that the handholding and double clutching were less about affection and more about control. Meghan's desperation to maintain their public image only served to emphasize the strain in their relationship, while Harry's subtle attempts to distance himself spoke volumes. The once meticulously crafted image of a united, loving couple was beginning to unravel, and no amount of forced handholding could conceal the truth. What was intended to be a cultural exchange on Meghan’s Colombian tour instead became a spectacle of a relationship in turmoil.
