Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s trip to Colombia reportedly cost 8,000 million pesos, around £1.5 million, which the couple are said to have paid out of their own pocket.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the South American nation on a four-day trip that included stops at Bogotá, Cali and Cartagena. The Colombian Ministry of Equality and Equity, led by Vice-President Francia Márquez, hailed the trip a “success”.

The Ministry also confirmed Harry and Meghan financed the visit, reports El Pais. A spokesman said: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex financed their trip and that of their team with their own resources.”

Events that Harry and Meghan attended while in Colombia however are said to have been “co-financed”. International agencies are said to have helped contribute towards the costs.

The Ministry said the visit allowed the people of Colombia to engage with the Archewell Foundation – the philanthropic not-for-profit organisation founded by Harry and Meghan. It also hoped it would help show Colombia can be a destination for business and tourists alike.

The spokesman added: “It was a very productive visit that allowed connections to be established between the populations and the Archewell Foundation – created and led by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – to promote programmes aimed at the economic autonomy of women, the prevention of violence in digital environments for girls, boys and young people, and support for leaders who build peace through art and culture.”

El Pais says that while much of the cost was not covered by the Colombian government, some parts of the visit would have received state funding. It claims certain travel expenses would have been covered by the government of Gustavo Petro, and food would have been included.

The Afro Women and Power Forum, El Pais claims, is also supported by funding from the national government.

Márquez added: “The whole world has set its eyes on Colombia’s diversity and cultural richness, it has been demonstrated that we are not the country of violence, we are the country of hope, of fraternity, of good hosts, we are the country of peace.”

Express.co.uk has reached out to Harry and Meghan’s representatives for a comment.