Prince Charles and Camilla Make History in Colombia

Chris Jackson/Getty Images(BOGOTA, Colombia) — Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, touched down on their private plane Tuesday night in the rain-soaked capital of Bogota for the first leg of their four-day visit to Colombia.

The royal couple was saluted in a red carpet welcome at the Bogota Military Airport with a Guard of Honor. They then took off for a reception at the British ambassador’s residence, where they mingled with a mix of British and Colombian business titans, sports heroes and political leaders.

Prince Charles was presented with a Colombia soccer shirt by the president of Colombia Football Federation. Camilla was gifted a snake skin evening bag inscribed with her name designed by Mario Hernandez.

The first-in-line to the throne and his wife are making royal history on the trip as the most senior members of the royal family ever to visit Colombia, a country wracked by drugs and violence.

While in Colombia, the Prince of Wales will tackle the complicated issues of the ongoing drug crisis, violence and sexual assault against women. He will also look to spearhead more cooperation between the U.K. and Colombia.

Prince Charles plans to meet with Colombia’s president, Juan Manuel Santos Calderon.

Prince Charles and Camilla’s tour of Colombia will take them to some of the more spectacular sites of the ecologically diverse country, including the Macarena National Park.

Charles, who has long been an advocate of conservation issues in South America, will deliver a speech at the Health of the Oceans international conference.

Prince Charles and Camilla will travel to Mexico at the conclusion of their visit to Colombia.

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