It's day five of the Sussexes' royal visit to Australia with another packed day ahead. The Duke and Duchess began with an embargoed engagement, unveiling an Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park.
The Duchess arriving.
The military is a hugely important element of Harry's life; his time in the army led to the creation of his brainchild, the inspiring Invictus Games. Russell Myers reports: "The couple arrived to unveil a war memorial 84 years in the making. The Anzac Memorial, which commemorates the sacrifices made by those who served for Australia and New Zealand, was initially designed in the 1930s by Bruce Dellitt. But following the Great Depression, the finances were not available to make Mr Dellitt's vision a reality, including a four-tier cascading waterfall on the Liverpool Street side of the monument."
Prince Harry wore the tropical dress of his regiment, the Blues and Royals, with medals, KCVO and sword.
You'll notice Harry is wearing new gold aiguillettes on his uniform. They were given to him as part of his new position as personal aide-de-camp to the Queen.
Below, Harry and Meghan with with NSW Governor David Hurley, a former chief of the defence force.
The Anzac Memorial is the main commemorative military monument of Sydney, Australia. It was created by the people of New South Wales as a place to remember the impact of the Great War (1914 – 1918). Although the Memorial did not open until 1934 the need for the Memorial was recognised as soon as the casualty figures from the 1915 Gallipoli campaign became public knowledge. Planning for a memorial of some kind began with the establishment of a fund on the first anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli in 1916.
The Duke and Duchess received a tour of the new education and interpretation facilities.
They spent time at the Hall of Silence where the sculpture Sacrifice stands.
The Hall of Silence, located in the centre of the building, is striking in its starkness, and has a powerful effect on visitors. The room is circular and Rayner Hoff's sculpture Sacrifice stands in its centre. The floor is Ulam white marble, and there is a bronze 'eternal flame' that flares out from the sculpture. The ceiling curves up toward the carved marble banister that defines the Well of Contemplation, a large circular opening in the floor of the level above. This opening provides the only natural lighting for the Hall of Silence and has the effect of focusing that light onto the central sculpture.
Emily Andrews reports: "The choir at the Anzac memorial have just sung 'I vow to thee my country': Princess Diana’s favourite hymn from her schooldays, sung both at her wedding in 1981 and her funeral in 1997."
The couple lay their first wreath together.
Kensington Palace shared this view.
‘In grateful memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and in recognition of the men and women for whom the scars of war endure'.
British High Commissioner Menna Rawlings was sitting behind the couple and shared this photo.
Harry officially opened the enhanced memorial.
The plaque.
More from the Sydney Morning Herald: "For Prince Harry, being able to visit and officially open the newly renovated sections represented a royal step back in time; his great-great uncle and namesake, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester - who later went on to become Australia’s 11th Governor-General - originally opened the building in 1934."
A video from the unveiling.
I imagine the event was kept under wraps for security reasons. Speaking of which, Rebecca English reports the couple have appointed a new female head of protection:
Meghan looked every inch the Duchess in an elegant Emilia Wickstead dress; a perfect choice for the nature of the engagement.
Meghan's dress is a custom black version of the Camila Wool-Crepe Midi Dress. The timeless style is simply detailed with a row of buttons against the wool-crepe backdrop. Its softly pleated skirt and mock-neck collar capture the vintage feel.
The style was inspired by 1940s socialite Edith Bouvier Beale. She was a first cousin of Jackie Kennedy. She is most known for her participation, along with her mother, with whom she lived, in the 1975 documentary film Grey Gardens by Albert and David Maysles. Coincidentally, my sister recently watched the documentary and told me she enjoyed it immensely.
A view of the back.
The Duchess also selected the New Zealand born designer for the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in April.
Meghan wore a hat by one of her favourite milliners, Philip Treacy.
The style is from the SS18 Collection. Meghan first wore it in August for the van Straubenzee wedding.
Meghan carried her black Givenchy satin clutch.
The talented Heaven identified Meghan's black shoes as the Tabitha Simmons Millie Slingback pumps. The $695 style is described: "Set on a slim heel, this pair of Tabitha Simmon's pumps has a point-toe silhouette, bow-embellished heel and are crafted from black suede."
Meghan accessorised with her £495 Pippa Small 18-karat gold Herkimer diamond earrings.
A closer look at Meghan's bracelet and rings.
Coming up: the Duke and Duchess will travel by boat to attend the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge on Cockatoo Island. In the evening, Harry and Meghan will attend a reception hosted by the NSW Premier, the Honourable Gladys Berejiklian MP, inside the Opera House. Afterwards it's the Invictus Games opening ceremony.
The Duchess arriving.
The military is a hugely important element of Harry's life; his time in the army led to the creation of his brainchild, the inspiring Invictus Games. Russell Myers reports: "The couple arrived to unveil a war memorial 84 years in the making. The Anzac Memorial, which commemorates the sacrifices made by those who served for Australia and New Zealand, was initially designed in the 1930s by Bruce Dellitt. But following the Great Depression, the finances were not available to make Mr Dellitt's vision a reality, including a four-tier cascading waterfall on the Liverpool Street side of the monument."
Prince Harry wore the tropical dress of his regiment, the Blues and Royals, with medals, KCVO and sword.
You'll notice Harry is wearing new gold aiguillettes on his uniform. They were given to him as part of his new position as personal aide-de-camp to the Queen.
Below, Harry and Meghan with with NSW Governor David Hurley, a former chief of the defence force.
The Anzac Memorial is the main commemorative military monument of Sydney, Australia. It was created by the people of New South Wales as a place to remember the impact of the Great War (1914 – 1918). Although the Memorial did not open until 1934 the need for the Memorial was recognised as soon as the casualty figures from the 1915 Gallipoli campaign became public knowledge. Planning for a memorial of some kind began with the establishment of a fund on the first anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli in 1916.
The Duke and Duchess received a tour of the new education and interpretation facilities.
They spent time at the Hall of Silence where the sculpture Sacrifice stands.
The Hall of Silence, located in the centre of the building, is striking in its starkness, and has a powerful effect on visitors. The room is circular and Rayner Hoff's sculpture Sacrifice stands in its centre. The floor is Ulam white marble, and there is a bronze 'eternal flame' that flares out from the sculpture. The ceiling curves up toward the carved marble banister that defines the Well of Contemplation, a large circular opening in the floor of the level above. This opening provides the only natural lighting for the Hall of Silence and has the effect of focusing that light onto the central sculpture.
Emily Andrews reports: "The choir at the Anzac memorial have just sung 'I vow to thee my country': Princess Diana’s favourite hymn from her schooldays, sung both at her wedding in 1981 and her funeral in 1997."
The couple lay their first wreath together.
Kensington Palace shared this view.
‘In grateful memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and in recognition of the men and women for whom the scars of war endure'.
British High Commissioner Menna Rawlings was sitting behind the couple and shared this photo.
Harry officially opened the enhanced memorial.
The plaque.
More from the Sydney Morning Herald: "For Prince Harry, being able to visit and officially open the newly renovated sections represented a royal step back in time; his great-great uncle and namesake, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester - who later went on to become Australia’s 11th Governor-General - originally opened the building in 1934."
A video from the unveiling.
I imagine the event was kept under wraps for security reasons. Speaking of which, Rebecca English reports the couple have appointed a new female head of protection:
'The woman, who the Mail is not naming for security reasons, has been working with the couple for several months and is currently with them in Australia, overseeing the massive police operation that surrounds them.
It took a little while to find a woman for the job with Harry and Meghan, but the new senior female police officer, who has the rank of Inspector, has replaced the prince's long-standing head of security, Sergeant Bill Renshaw, who retired after more than 30 years in the force. This week she has been very much in evidence, standing discreetly alongside the prince and his new wife. In Melbourne on Thursday she kept a watchful eye over pregnant Meghan as she undertook a huge public walkabout.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said they could confirm that 'there are a number of female officers working within the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command, including an inspector currently working in Australia'. As these officers are by their principal's side 24 hours a day, it is always preferential to have a woman on the team. There are some things that a MRF (Member of the Royal Family) just feels more comfortable doing with a woman at her side. But to have a woman in charge of the team is pretty much unheard of. It is good news for the Duke and Duchess and good news for the force.'
Meghan looked every inch the Duchess in an elegant Emilia Wickstead dress; a perfect choice for the nature of the engagement.
Meghan's dress is a custom black version of the Camila Wool-Crepe Midi Dress. The timeless style is simply detailed with a row of buttons against the wool-crepe backdrop. Its softly pleated skirt and mock-neck collar capture the vintage feel.
The style was inspired by 1940s socialite Edith Bouvier Beale. She was a first cousin of Jackie Kennedy. She is most known for her participation, along with her mother, with whom she lived, in the 1975 documentary film Grey Gardens by Albert and David Maysles. Coincidentally, my sister recently watched the documentary and told me she enjoyed it immensely.
A view of the back.
The Duchess also selected the New Zealand born designer for the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in April.
Meghan wore a hat by one of her favourite milliners, Philip Treacy.
The style is from the SS18 Collection. Meghan first wore it in August for the van Straubenzee wedding.
Meghan carried her black Givenchy satin clutch.
The talented Heaven identified Meghan's black shoes as the Tabitha Simmons Millie Slingback pumps. The $695 style is described: "Set on a slim heel, this pair of Tabitha Simmon's pumps has a point-toe silhouette, bow-embellished heel and are crafted from black suede."
Meghan accessorised with her £495 Pippa Small 18-karat gold Herkimer diamond earrings.
Coming up: the Duke and Duchess will travel by boat to attend the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge on Cockatoo Island. In the evening, Harry and Meghan will attend a reception hosted by the NSW Premier, the Honourable Gladys Berejiklian MP, inside the Opera House. Afterwards it's the Invictus Games opening ceremony.