The threat of rain and a delay on the royal arrival did nothing to dampen the spirits of the thousands of people who flocked to Government House in Melbourne to see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Prince Harry and his wife Duchess Meghan were delayed by about 25 minutes to the CBD location but were greeted by uproarious screams from the crowd.
Long-time royals watcher Sandra Nomikos was one of the first to exchange words with a newly-pregnant Duchess, who was dressed in 100 per cent Australian designers – a Dion Lee dress and Martin Grant trench coat.
Sandra handed Meghan a bouquet and gifts for Prince Harry – a book on his mother Princess Diana and a hat from Uluru and a birthday present for Prince Charles – a book on the Dandenong Ranges.
“She’s beautiful, she’s perfect,” Sandra said afterwards.
“I’m so excited that I met her, when I left this morning I didn’t think I would.”
Prince Harry stopped at a young woman with a sign emblazoned with: “Been here since 4am, loved you since I was 8”, reducing her to shakes and tears.
Just as they were reaching Victorian Governor Linda Dessau, the royal couple stopped to chat with little five-and-a-half-month Harriet Bonaddio and her mum Jessica.
At times, the crowd broke into chants of: “C’mon Harry c’mon, c’mon” and screams when the pair showed affection towards each other.
Showing off his paternal side, Prince Harry coos at a baby on day three of the Royal Tour.
Melbourne have strong sign game.
Schoolgirls Jasmine and Lily got up at 5am to get their prime position and shook hands with the duchess, drawing her over with their homemade sign.
The teens said teachers knew they were absent and had “wished them luck.”
“It was more than what I imagined, it happened in such a flash, just amazing,” Jasmine said.
While mostly meeting the crowd in their own, when the husband and wife did walk together they held hands, the Duchess at times stroking the prince’s back.
The couple was greeted at Government House by The Governor to meet the royal couple and walk inside with them, will now host a reception.
Meanwhile 150 gyrating women red faced, sweaty and super excited to be involved in a right royal work out, part of VicHealth’s This Girl Can – Victoria campaign were limbering up on the lawns of Government House.
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Walking hand-in-hand, Meghan and Harry receive a warm welcome from Melbourne.
Meghan is given a homemade card from one of the children.
Twenty-five This Girl Can – Victoria ambassadors led the women in a range of activities including Aussie rules footie, netball, yoga, boxercise, cricket, cycling and Zumba to a pumping soundtrack performed by DJ Yo Mafia regularly breaking into simultaneous clapping to the music.
VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said the event was about empowering everyday women to get active however, wherever and whenever they wanted without being judged.
“We want all women – no matter how sweaty they get, how red their face is or how good they are – to feel comfortable about getting out there and giving physical activity a go. That’s what This Girl Can – Victoria is all about.”
Prince Harry comforts an overwhelmed fan.
Before giving her a hug, which has clearly made her day.
“This Girl Can – Victoria features women from all walks of life – real, everyday women of all ages, from diverse cultural backgrounds, with varying levels of ability, different body shapes and sizes.”
When the Duke and Duchess emerged from Government House, Meghan had taken off her trench coat and in sky-high stilettos walked across the lawn to meet the women.
The Duchess was handed an AFL football and showed how to handball it which she did successfully, giggling nervously.
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She’s a natural! Meghan tries her hand at AFL. (Image: @DelMody twitter)
Matching their navy ensembles, Meghan stunned in a deep-blue dress by Australian designer Dion Lee paired with the same Martin Grant trench coat she wore in Sydney two days ago.
See what they did there?
Here’s hoping this tactic works!
Meghan told Jerril that she liked to practice yoga at home.
As she and Harry walked round they held hands and laughed and joked.
“She’s wonderful,” Jerril told The Weekly.
“It’s an honour to be part of The Duke and Duchess’ visit to Melbourne, and we hope it will inspire even more Victorian women to get active and do the things they love.”
Meghan’s princess-perfect locks were worn out in a shiny blow-dry.
Day three of the royal tour will see the couple travel around Melbourne.
(All images, except for ALF photo: Getty Images)
