The first day of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Australian tour has concluded with a reception hosted by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lady Cosgrove at Admiralty House – and a highlight was a heartwarming speech from Prince Harry addressing the exciting Royal Baby news announced last night.
Adding to the day’s glow, the sun came out with bright blue skies to show off the historic house and harbour-side lawns in all its glory.
For the reception, Duchess Meghan changed into a stunning green Brandon Maxwell dress with gold button detail, cape and a full pleated skirt and, with husband Prince Harry, was relishing the opportunity to meet with some renowned Aussies from all walks of life.
Guests included comedian and author Anh Do, indigenous model Samantha Harris, former AFL player, indigenous advocate and 2010 Australian of the Year Adam Goodes, the doctor who helped saved Thai football team from their cave ordeal, Dr Richard Harris, Olympic hurdler Sally Pearson, rugby player David Pocock and singer Missy Higgins who brought along her two-month-old daughter Luna (who turned out to be one of the stars of the event).
In his opening remarks, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove warmly welcomed the royal couple to tumultuous applause. He describedPrince Harry as “almost a son of Australia” and that with this visit with his wife, that connection and bond would become “even stronger” and Australia will now “adopt” Meghan as well.
Cosgrove added that the royal couple would also see “people on the land doing it tough” but that our rural battlers would “love the fact that you’re here sharing your concern”.
The Governor-General also applauded Harry’s Invictus Games initiative and said it gives servicemen and women “a real sense of focus”.
Looking thrilled to be at Admiralty House, Prince Harry delivered a short, warm and confident speech which engaged the gathering.
“G’day, your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen,” the Prince began, using local vernacular.
“It is great to be back in Australia. And especially even more so as this is my wife’s first visit here, so I’m very excited to show her this incredible country of yours – perhaps not Kangaroo Flats military training area in Darwin though!”
“You’ll also notice we had a roof on our boat earlier after last year’s downpour! Luckily Sydney’s sun is shining today so thank you for organising the weather.”
Proud father-to-be Prince Harry thanked the Australian public for their support in the wake of their baby announcement. (Image: Getty Images)
“We started off well today with some sleeping koalas, Sydney Harbour, the Bangarra Dancers, who were absolutely fantastic, the Opera House and Admiralty House, and we’re looking forward to going to Dubbo tomorrow to meet those farmers and their families who have been hit by this drought.
“I am particularly grateful to the Australian Government for hosting the Invictus Games which the whole country has embraced with great enthusiasm. Thank you so much for all of the support.
Australia is of course home to some of the world’s best sporting talent but what you are about to see during these Invictus Games will quite literally astound you.
“A demonstration of the power of the human spirit, the power of sport to change lives, and the power of feeling part of all of this from the stands – there really is something for everyone.
“Thank you to Your Excellency and Lady Cosgrove for giving us your magnificent home for the week – we’re inviting all of our mates in Sydney to visit!”
“Finally we’re both delighted to be here and really impressed to see you serving beer and tea at an afternoon reception, in true Aussie style.”
And then Prince Harry finally broke his silence on his royal baby news.
“Thank you for the incredibly warm welcome and the chance to meet so many Aussies from all walks of life. And we also genuinely couldn’t think of a better place to announce the upcoming baby, whether it’s a boy or a girl, so thank you very very much.”
WATCH: Prince Harry on becoming a father. Post continues…
The royal couple then split up to meet their guests individually.
And it was inevitable that one person Meghan would make a beeline for would be singer Missy Higgins, who was holding her second baby Luna.
Looking lovingly at the two-month-old Meghan asked Missy how old her daughter was and said “you look great”. The mum and expectant mum then chatted at length.
Maths teacher Eddie Wu shared his own parenting stories telling Meghan “our kids are 5, 7 and 10. It takes a lot of energy.”
Meghan gave a broad smile and replied “we’re excited to join the club”.
This was the first time model Samantha Harris had met the royal couple.
“I think it’s great that they announced their baby news here,” she said. “I think it’s beautiful.”
Bonding over babies, Meghan make a beeline for would be singer Missy Higgins and her daughter Luna. (Image: Juliet Rieden)
Another of the many inspiring Australians the royal couple met today was the 2014 winner of The Australian Women’s Weekly Women of the Future Awards Laura O’Reilly, 32, and her brother Jordan, 30, who was selected as a Commonwealth Queen’s Young Leader last year.
The O’Reilly siblings have been recognised for seting up Fighting Chance, a ground-breaking organisation to help find employment opportunities for people with disabilities, which was inspired by their brother Shane who also had Cerebral Palsy.
Shane passed away in 2011 and never got to see the business develop but Laura and Jordan know that he would be thrilled that Fighting Chance now has 150 staff and is enriching the lives of hundreds of Australians.
“Jordan got the invite to meet Meghan and Harry and I am his plus one,” says Laura. “It’s so exciting to be here.”
Tomorrow Harry and Meghan heads to Dubbo to witness the strong bonds within rural community life, even in the face of adversity.
Little Luna slept peacefully in her mum’s arms, unaware of the royal company. (Image: Juliet Rieden)
