The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have begun a four-day tour of Colombia by meeting the country’s vice-president.

Francia Marquez hosted Prince Harry and Meghan at her official residence on Thursday, having been inspired to invite the couple after watching a Netflix series about their lives.

The Sussexes’, who have faced their own attacks on social media, have not confirmed who is funding the trip – which is neither a state visit or an official royal event.

But they are being given a full security detail – something they no longer enjoy in the UK after stepping down as working royals in 2020.

Ms Marquez described the Sussexes’ trip as a “very special visit” aimed at building bridges, joining forces against cyber-bullying and online digital violence, discrimination and promoting women’s leadership in Colombia.

Meghan and Ms Marquez were pictured embracing as they warmly greeted each other, while the vice-president grasped Harry’s hands when they were introduced.

Harry and Meghan also visited a school in Bogota and joined a summit about creating a healthier digital landscape.

The California-based couple are expected to spend time in the Cartagena and Cali areas during their trip.

The tour, which appears to be similar in many ways to an official royal visit, is the Sussexes’ second this year, after their three-day visit to Nigeria in May.