As the sun began to rise on the first day of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's visit to Colombia, the drama had already begun to unfold.
What was intended to be a goodwill tour through the vibrant South American nation quickly turned into a lesson on the pitfalls of inappropriate fashion choices, courtesy of Meghan Markle. The day began uneventfully, with the royal couple attending a performance at the National Center for the Arts in Bogotá. For this official welcome, Meghan chose a sleek, sleeveless Veronica Beard suit paired with Manolo Blahnik heels, making a sophisticated impression as they made their way to a subsequent school visit.
However, as the day progressed, Meghan decided a wardrobe change was in order. The understated chic look was replaced by a Navajo Weaver dress designed by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz. The dress, featuring a metallic-threaded Navajo pattern with blush pink panels and burgundy details, was undeniably striking. Yet, it was the daring cutout bodice and front slit that garnered the most attention—and not necessarily in a positive light. Meghan accessorized the ensemble with LeVian earrings, a Cartier watch and bracelet, and Jimmy Choo shoes, opting to let her hair down in a nod to effortless glamour.
Despite Meghan's intention to honor a Colombian designer, her sartorial choice sparked controversy. The Vice President of Colombia was reportedly less than impressed, particularly since the dress was worn during a visit to a school full of children. "A slit halfway up the front—can you imagine?" was the purported reaction from the Vice President. In a predominantly Catholic country like Colombia, where modesty is highly valued, such a bold fashion statement can come across as disrespectful rather than dignified. Instead of opting for a light blue suit or a color that represents the country, Meghan showed up in what some critics described as beachwear. The local press branded the outfit as an "absolute disaster," and the Vice President's reaction was a mix of disappointment and bemusement.
"She always treats these visits like a fashion show—it's so inappropriate and very cringe for a woman over 40," one critic noted, with the Vice President's expression captured in a snapshot that seemed to echo these sentiments. The image showed her casting a sideways glance at Meghan's daring dress, the look on her face conveying a palpable sense of regret. "Why does Meghan so often dress as if she's going to a cocktail party when visiting dignitaries?" pondered another observer. "Oh, I know why—she dresses for attention, not for the occasion or the audience, but for attention." It's hard to argue with that logic when sartorial choices seem to overshadow the very reason she's in the country.
Day one of the tour, and Meghan had already managed to stir the pot. Some speculated that the Vice President, who initially saw the Sussexes as a way to boost her own PR, now realized that she was being used for theirs instead. Meghan's constant hair-touching, shameless grinning, and inappropriate clothing made it clear that this wasn't the diplomatic visit the Vice President had envisioned. The frequent outfit changes only added to the criticism. "It's one thing to change between a meeting and dinner, but come on now," a critic pointed out. "The VP didn't change—why hold her up while you do an outfit change? It's not hard to pick an outfit that covers a few back-to-back events."
As the day drew to a close, it was clear that Meghan had left her mark on Colombia—but perhaps not in the way she intended. The Vice President's side-eye glance said it all. On day one, The Duchess of Sussex had already managed to court controversy.
