The Duke and Duchess of Sussex travelled to Melbourne this morning for a packed day of engagements.
One of Harry and Meghan's key objectives during the tour is to meet as many people as possible. It seemed fitting to begin the day with a walkabout at the Royal Botanic Gardens where a rapturous welcome awaited them.
Meghan was given an abundance of flowers and toys for Baby Sussex.
Thousands gathered to see the couple.
Gavin woke up “with a cough” and quite simply had to stay at home from school today. He decided to make a pasta necklace for Meghan.
Not only did Gavin get the opportunity to give the necklace to the Duchess, she was so impressed she decided it was the perfect addition to her ensemble.
The Telegraph reports:
A very excited fan broke down in tears after meeting Harry. 9 News reports: "She tearfully threw her arms around him as he flashed her a charming grin. The woman was holding a hand-made sign explaining how long she had been waiting for this moment. "Been here since 4am. Loved you since I was eight," her sign read."
They were welcomed by Governor Linda Dessau and her husband Anthony Howard.
From there, the Duke and Duchess walked to Government House for a reception.
A diverse group of young Victorian leaders and community members attended the reception.
A fabulous shot from the event.
An arrival video.
A demonstration of various sporting activities took place in the grounds, with ambassadors from the This Girl Can campaign. This Girl Can is very much about embracing physical activity in a way that suits you. "Whether it’s a little or a lot, what matters is getting some movement into your day."
Meghan joined in a handball demonstration.
Harry and Meghan demonstrated a scaled, miniature Formula 1 car designed and made by Trinity Grammar students, which won the 2017 F1 in Schools World Championship.
The Duchess got quite the surprise when she launched the car :)
People reports:
Government House is ‘one of the largest and most beautiful mansion houses in Australia’ and is considered to be one of the finest examples of 19th-century residential architecture, according to the Victorian Heritage Register. Built during the economic boom of the Gold Rush when Melbourne was transformed from a small capital in a fledgling colony into ‘Marvellous Melbourne’, Government House characterises the high standard of design and craftsmanship of public buildings built during that period. Designed in the Italianate-style, the House is constructed in stucco-rendered brick on a bluestone foundation. The tower provides a central focus for the three sections of the house – the State Apartments, the Private Apartments and the Ballroom.
The belvedere tower of Government House with the flag of the Governor of Victoria raised.
The Duke and Duchess met Hunter Johnson, one of the Queen's Young Leaders and founder of The Man Cave, a preventative mental health and emotional intelligence programme for boys and young men.
Harry was delighted to meet Willow from Guide Dogs Victoria.
The Duke and Duchess were presented with a photograph by Victorian street artist, Rone, of his spectacular painting of cement silos near Geelong.
Meghan mingling with guests and signing the visitors' book.
During a speech the Governor said: "We thank Your Royal Highnesses, whose visit has been the catalyst to gather this talent, and this promise, with us today at Government House. You have already met some of our brightest innovators, and some of the women who, through the ‘This Girl Can’ Campaign-Victoria, so ably display the strength and resilience built on a healthy and active lifestyle. The young leaders we have gathered here today represent our students, our regions and our multicultural communities."
Following the Reception at Government House, The Duke and Duchess visited Charcoal Lane, a social enterprise café which offers leadership, mentoring and training programmes for young Aboriginal people.
They were shown a mural by artist Robert Young, who is of Gunnai and Waradgerie heritage.
Meghan was in her element in the kitchen discussing ingredients with chef Greg Hampton.
Emily Nash shared a look at the variety of ingredients Meghan and Harry were introduced to during a “touch, taste and smell” session.
Charcoal Lane is a Mission Australia social enterprise restaurant that provides guidance and opportunity to young Aboriginal people who are in need of a fresh start in life. The aim of the program is to create a skilled workforce for the hospitality industry, providing leadership and mentoring to help vulnerable young people achieve their potential and gain long-term independence. The contemporary menu is seasonally driven and draws on the best of native Australian food.
Then it was time for a spot of lunch. They were served gourmet cuisine made with native Australian ingredients plated up by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees. The menu included an entree of mushroom and quinoa nest and chargrilled kangaroo and main courses of wild boar, saffron risotto and barramundi.
Following a quick outfit change, the Duke and Duchess travelled on an iconic Melbourne tram to South Melbourne beach.
A video.
The Duke and Duchess met with the 'Waste Warriors' at Albert Park primary school where children have told the royal couple all about their commitment to sustainability.
More from the Mail:
On the beach, they met volunteers from a local beach patrol programme.
Harry and Meghan learned about efforts to keep Port Phillip Bay beaches and foreshores clear of litter to reduce the negative impact on the marine environment.
Meeting the crowds.
Meghan was asked about baby names whilst meeting locals.
Harry and Meghan bid farewell to Melbourne before returning to Sydney.
The Duchess selected a lovely navy dress by Australian designer Dion Lee. The talented Elizabeth from Meghan's Fashion called the brand to learn more about the piece. "The dress is a new collection piece from their Pre-Fall 19 collection. It's called the Folded Sail dress" The dress is available for pre-order.
The dress is described as: "A-line asymmetric fold detail skirt, Single lapel fold constructed into the bodice and Italian double weave wool tailoring."
Melissa Singer reports the designer said:
The Dion Lee aesthetic is described as "technical with an intelligent sensuality". Each collection marries innovative construction, with a consciousness of the female form. Textiles are engineered to form sculptural embellishments. Architectural silhouettes are dissected to enhance movement and the flow of air and light. After debuting at Australia Fashion Week, Dion Lee presented collections in London before relocating to New York, where the brand has become a permanent fixture on the seasonal schedule. Dion Lee is sold globally in over 40 of the world’s most exclusive retailers including Net-A-Porter, Bergdorf Goodman, Selfridges and Lane Crawford. Australia is home to six flagship stores, each designed to reflect the constructed nature of the product, in an environment that is both industrial and luxurious.
Meghan wore the same trench from day one in Sydney by Australian designer Martin Grant.
Meghan's carrying the Gucci Sylvie mini chain-embellished leather shoulder bag. The piece is described as: "Gucci's iconic 'Sylvie' bag is scaled down to a mini size that has just enough space for essentials - think a phone, lipstick and cards. Crafted in Italy from smooth leather, this ivory design is punctuated by the house's archival striped webbing and buckled gold chain. Detach the slim chain strap to carry yours in-hand as a clutch." It retails for $1200 at Net-A-Porter.
Meghan wore her Manolo Blahnik BB pumps in navy.
Meghan wore her Shaun Leane Diamond Tusk Bangle.
And as mentioned above, during the walkabout Meghan accessorised with a very special necklace by local schoolboy Gavin :)
Meghan also debuted new earrings.
For Meghan's second look of the day she chose a dress by one of her favourite brands. Laura identified the piece as the Club Monaco Miguellina Dress. The $268 style features gold-tone buttons and a round neckline. It's currently available in sizes 00-12 on the Club Monaco website.
Meghan's flats are the $145 Rothy's Black Solid Flats.
The sustainable brand is on a mission to create stylish footwear with as little waste and impact to the environment as possible.
Tomorrow's schedule in Sydney:
One of Harry and Meghan's key objectives during the tour is to meet as many people as possible. It seemed fitting to begin the day with a walkabout at the Royal Botanic Gardens where a rapturous welcome awaited them.
Meghan was given an abundance of flowers and toys for Baby Sussex.
Thousands gathered to see the couple.
Gavin woke up “with a cough” and quite simply had to stay at home from school today. He decided to make a pasta necklace for Meghan.
Not only did Gavin get the opportunity to give the necklace to the Duchess, she was so impressed she decided it was the perfect addition to her ensemble.
The Telegraph reports:
Despite the royal couple arriving 20 minutes late for their first engagement of the day, having struggled with traffic from the airport, the crowd of about 5,000 showed no sign of running out of enthusiasm.
Rhys Pratt, eight, from Melbourne begged his mother Naomi to allow him to take the day off school he even diligently made a flag bearing the colours of the the county of Sussex. Rhys said: “I wanted to come here so badly but my mum said I had to go to school. “My dad is from Yorkshire in England and I really love Harry and Meghan so after I promised to make a flag to give to them my mum said she would take me.” The Duke told the schoolboy his creation was “cool” and thanked him for coming to meet him. Rhys said: “Everybody in Melbourne loves Harry and Meghan and all my friends will be so jealous I got to meet them.”
After spending 25 minutes talking to well-wishers and taking an array of gifts including cuddly toys, flags, newspaper cuttings and handmade trinkets, the Duke and Duchess stopped to play with five and a half month old Harriet Bonaddido and talk to her mum, Jessica. The 28-year-old said: “As soon as I introduced my daughter to Harry he said ‘that’s a great name’. “Maybe they will choose it for their own child which would be fun. “Meghan was right behind him and was playfully tickling her toes and said how sweet it was that I’d brought her out today."
The popularity of royal couple among Australians has been in no doubt since they landed on Monday. Just hours later they shared the news that they were expecting their first child, due to be born in the Spring'.
A very excited fan broke down in tears after meeting Harry. 9 News reports: "She tearfully threw her arms around him as he flashed her a charming grin. The woman was holding a hand-made sign explaining how long she had been waiting for this moment. "Been here since 4am. Loved you since I was eight," her sign read."
They were welcomed by Governor Linda Dessau and her husband Anthony Howard.
From there, the Duke and Duchess walked to Government House for a reception.
A diverse group of young Victorian leaders and community members attended the reception.
A fabulous shot from the event.
An arrival video.
A demonstration of various sporting activities took place in the grounds, with ambassadors from the This Girl Can campaign. This Girl Can is very much about embracing physical activity in a way that suits you. "Whether it’s a little or a lot, what matters is getting some movement into your day."
Meghan joined in a handball demonstration.
Harry and Meghan demonstrated a scaled, miniature Formula 1 car designed and made by Trinity Grammar students, which won the 2017 F1 in Schools World Championship.
The Duchess got quite the surprise when she launched the car :)
People reports:
“I did not expect that!” she exclaimed of their speedy takeoff while laughing at her own jumpy reaction.
Meanwhile, Harry looked as happy as a child in a toy store, beaming at the cars and laughed at his wife’s startled reaction. “Wasn’t quite expecting that,” he joked to her. Harry even fist-pumped when they were first invited to try the cars.'
Government House is ‘one of the largest and most beautiful mansion houses in Australia’ and is considered to be one of the finest examples of 19th-century residential architecture, according to the Victorian Heritage Register. Built during the economic boom of the Gold Rush when Melbourne was transformed from a small capital in a fledgling colony into ‘Marvellous Melbourne’, Government House characterises the high standard of design and craftsmanship of public buildings built during that period. Designed in the Italianate-style, the House is constructed in stucco-rendered brick on a bluestone foundation. The tower provides a central focus for the three sections of the house – the State Apartments, the Private Apartments and the Ballroom.
The belvedere tower of Government House with the flag of the Governor of Victoria raised.
The Duke and Duchess met Hunter Johnson, one of the Queen's Young Leaders and founder of The Man Cave, a preventative mental health and emotional intelligence programme for boys and young men.
Harry was delighted to meet Willow from Guide Dogs Victoria.
The Duke and Duchess were presented with a photograph by Victorian street artist, Rone, of his spectacular painting of cement silos near Geelong.
Meghan mingling with guests and signing the visitors' book.
During a speech the Governor said: "We thank Your Royal Highnesses, whose visit has been the catalyst to gather this talent, and this promise, with us today at Government House. You have already met some of our brightest innovators, and some of the women who, through the ‘This Girl Can’ Campaign-Victoria, so ably display the strength and resilience built on a healthy and active lifestyle. The young leaders we have gathered here today represent our students, our regions and our multicultural communities."
Following the Reception at Government House, The Duke and Duchess visited Charcoal Lane, a social enterprise café which offers leadership, mentoring and training programmes for young Aboriginal people.
They were shown a mural by artist Robert Young, who is of Gunnai and Waradgerie heritage.
Meghan was in her element in the kitchen discussing ingredients with chef Greg Hampton.
Emily Nash shared a look at the variety of ingredients Meghan and Harry were introduced to during a “touch, taste and smell” session.
Charcoal Lane is a Mission Australia social enterprise restaurant that provides guidance and opportunity to young Aboriginal people who are in need of a fresh start in life. The aim of the program is to create a skilled workforce for the hospitality industry, providing leadership and mentoring to help vulnerable young people achieve their potential and gain long-term independence. The contemporary menu is seasonally driven and draws on the best of native Australian food.
Then it was time for a spot of lunch. They were served gourmet cuisine made with native Australian ingredients plated up by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees. The menu included an entree of mushroom and quinoa nest and chargrilled kangaroo and main courses of wild boar, saffron risotto and barramundi.
Following a quick outfit change, the Duke and Duchess travelled on an iconic Melbourne tram to South Melbourne beach.
A video.
The Duke and Duchess met with the 'Waste Warriors' at Albert Park primary school where children have told the royal couple all about their commitment to sustainability.
More from the Mail:
'Carlo Foster, 12, an Albert Park Primary pupil, showed Harry and Meghan bags full of plastic cups, beakers and bottles he has collected. Harry said: 'Another worrying thing I'm hearing is some people trying to claim things like these are actually habitats for fish and turtles. Don't ever let anyone convince you of that.'
The couple also spoke to Melisand Box, 14, from Albert Park College, who had a bag filled with plastic straws. She said: 'Harry told us to spread the message about whether people really need to use straws at all, and if they do, to use bamboo or metal straws.'
Harry and Meghan then did a 'mini-walkabout', greeting dozens of excited schoolchildren who had lined up on the beach to meet them. Among them was Amelia Marcom, 12, from St Kilda Primary school: 'I gave Meghan flowers, a picture of her and Harry I'd drawn for them and some t-shirts for the baby. She said she loved them.'
Before leaving the beach, the couple strolled hand in hand down to the shoreline, to meet a group of lifeguards from Australia Surf Lifeguards. Sebastian Top, 20, a lifeguard for more than four years, asked Meghan, 'Are you going to swim today?' 'Maybe not today,' she laughed. Harry pointed to a group of around 30 people who had waded into the sea from the beach to get a better view of them: 'If we try and swim, I think they might be a bit of a hazard.'
On the beach, they met volunteers from a local beach patrol programme.
Harry and Meghan learned about efforts to keep Port Phillip Bay beaches and foreshores clear of litter to reduce the negative impact on the marine environment.
Meeting the crowds.
Meghan was asked about baby names whilst meeting locals.
Harry and Meghan bid farewell to Melbourne before returning to Sydney.
The Duchess selected a lovely navy dress by Australian designer Dion Lee. The talented Elizabeth from Meghan's Fashion called the brand to learn more about the piece. "The dress is a new collection piece from their Pre-Fall 19 collection. It's called the Folded Sail dress" The dress is available for pre-order.
The dress is described as: "A-line asymmetric fold detail skirt, Single lapel fold constructed into the bodice and Italian double weave wool tailoring."
Melissa Singer reports the designer said:
"It's a whole other level of attention. I can't say our website has ever crashed as a result of anyone wearing our clothes," he said. Meghan's custom dress was made "based on a previous dress of ours that she really liked".
The Dion Lee aesthetic is described as "technical with an intelligent sensuality". Each collection marries innovative construction, with a consciousness of the female form. Textiles are engineered to form sculptural embellishments. Architectural silhouettes are dissected to enhance movement and the flow of air and light. After debuting at Australia Fashion Week, Dion Lee presented collections in London before relocating to New York, where the brand has become a permanent fixture on the seasonal schedule. Dion Lee is sold globally in over 40 of the world’s most exclusive retailers including Net-A-Porter, Bergdorf Goodman, Selfridges and Lane Crawford. Australia is home to six flagship stores, each designed to reflect the constructed nature of the product, in an environment that is both industrial and luxurious.
Meghan wore the same trench from day one in Sydney by Australian designer Martin Grant.
Meghan's carrying the Gucci Sylvie mini chain-embellished leather shoulder bag. The piece is described as: "Gucci's iconic 'Sylvie' bag is scaled down to a mini size that has just enough space for essentials - think a phone, lipstick and cards. Crafted in Italy from smooth leather, this ivory design is punctuated by the house's archival striped webbing and buckled gold chain. Detach the slim chain strap to carry yours in-hand as a clutch." It retails for $1200 at Net-A-Porter.
Meghan wore her Shaun Leane Diamond Tusk Bangle.
Meghan also debuted new earrings.
For Meghan's second look of the day she chose a dress by one of her favourite brands. Laura identified the piece as the Club Monaco Miguellina Dress. The $268 style features gold-tone buttons and a round neckline. It's currently available in sizes 00-12 on the Club Monaco website.
Meghan's flats are the $145 Rothy's Black Solid Flats.
The sustainable brand is on a mission to create stylish footwear with as little waste and impact to the environment as possible.
Tomorrow's schedule in Sydney:
- Day four of the visit, Friday 19th October, will take place in Sydney. In the morning, Their Royal Highnesses will visit Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most famous landmarks. The Duke and Duchess will meet a local surfing community group, known as OneWave, raising awareness for mental health and wellbeing in a fun and engaging way. Their Royal Highnesses will take part in the "Fluro Friday" session, where people of all ages share their experiences of mental health issues, and will have the opportunity to interact with others enjoying yoga and surfing. Before departing, The Duke and Duchess will have an opportunity to meet members of the public gathered on the beach.
- Later that morning, Their Royal Highness will take part in a youth advocate programme that aims to unite and inspire young people to be advocates for cohesion and inclusion in their communities. The Duke and Duchess will also engage with students as they discuss issues including social justice and youth empowerment.
- Following this event, accompanied by the Prime Minister the Honourable Scott Morrison MP, and Invictus Games competitors, The Duke will climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge to officially raise the Invictus Flag, marking the arrival of the Invictus Games to Sydney. Their Royal Highnesses will conclude the day with calls on the Leader of the Opposition at Admiralty House, and the Prime Minister at Kirribilli House.
See you tomorrow!