Meghan Markle was speaking at a women empowerment panel in Cali, Colombia on Sunday when she was interrupted by a transgender rights heckler.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, participated in the Afro Women and Power conference with Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez on the final day of her and Prince Harry’s whirlwind Colombian tour.
After speaking in English during the panel, Markle was about to address the audience in Spanish when the heckler started shouting from the crowd.
Meghan Markle, Francia Marquez in Colombia
Meghan Markle speaking at the Afro Women and Power conference
The person yelled out a question about transgender rights to Marquez, 42, as seen in a video circulating online.
Markle looked out at the audience and smiled as the heckler interrupted the panel.
Meghan Markle at a female empowerment panel in Colombia on August 18.AFP via Getty Images
Marquez calmly responded in Spanish, “I’m talking about women in general. We’ve got a program for trans women as well.”
According to the Daily Mail, the heckler sat back down and was allowed to stay in their seat for the rest of the panel.
Colombia’s Vice President Francia Marquez at the Afro Women and Power panel.AFP via Getty Images
Markle began her remarks in Spanish at the panel, telling the audience that her trip to Colombia with her husband has been “a dream.”
“I would like to begin in Spanish because we are in your country, my husband and I, and I can feel this embrace from Colombia,” she said.
“Sorry if my Spanish is not perfect because I learned it 20 years ago in Argentina, but I’m trying here because I can feel this community and this feeling which is the best in the world,” she added.
Meghan Markle during her four-day tour in Colombia./ SplashNews.com
The former “Suits” star also spoke about her mom, Doria Ragland, and her 3-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet, when discussing how women shouldn’t be afraid to speak up.
“I find inspiration in the strong women around me of course my mother being one of them,” she said. “So much of how I approach things is less about the fight, and more about how do we show up in a space and wash things over with love and kindness and generosity.”
“Those are the elements that inspire me — I know how it feels when you don’t utilize your voice when you need to be heard or have something to say,” Markle continued. “I encourage our daughter to do so — who at 3 has absolutely found her voice, and we are so proud of that.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry explore San Basilio de Palenque in Colombia.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at San Basilio de Palenque in Colombia on August 17
Markle and Harry, 39, touched down in Colombia last Thursday and were greeted by Márquez, who is the country’s first black VP.
On Friday morning, Harry and Markle stopped by a school in a downtown Bogotà suburb, where the students performed traditional Colombian music they had prepared just for the couple’s arrival.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Cali, Colombia
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their four-day tour of Colombia
Harry was spotted getting his shimmy on during the kids’ performance, a Harper’s Bazaar clip showed.
Markle showed offf her own dance moves during an engagement at the Centro Nacional de las Artes Delia Zapata Olivella.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Cartagena de India in Colombia
Notably, Colombia became the first South American country to join Harry’s Invictus Games, which he launched in 2014 for both active and retired military service members from around the world who are wounded, injured or sick.
