They’re here! Harry and Meghan land in Sydney
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle touched down in Sydney this morning, kicking off the British royals’ first major outing as a couple. The pair have a number of things planned but for now they will remain at Sydney’s Admiralty House where they will spend the day resting before their official tour. HERE IS THEIR ITINERARY.
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PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle touched down in Sydney this morning, kicking off a bumper Pacific tour that is the British royals’ first major outing as a couple.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in a wet Sydney after a weekend spent celebrating the marriage of their relative Princess Eugenie to wine merchant Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Their Qantas plane had flown into gloomy conditions before the couple collected their luggage and made their way outside.
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Dressed in a black coat with a burgundy collar and carrying two paper folders, Meghan looked stunning while holding hands with Prince Harry, who landed in a casual zip-up sweater with dark pants, after a long-haul flight.
Prince Harry put his own luggage into the Holden’s boot before they hopped inside.
Police escorted the couple in a motorcade through peak hour traffic and ordered lights to be left green on the way to Kirribilli, where locals had gathered in rainy weather.
Meghan smiled and waved as they entered the gates of Admiralty House, which is the official residence in Sydney of the Governor General.
A large-scale security presence was called into the airport for their arrival and two police helicopters patrolled the sky.
Police held back curious airport staff and a big media throng before the couple left.
Prince Harry and Meghan are travelling with an entourage of about 10 people, including a personal hairdresser for the duchess.
They have no official duties today.
The widely-publicised royals’ flight on British Airways was incorrect which was a false alarm for Sydney media just after 6am. The royals had actually arrived on a Qantas flight shortly after.
The royal couple have 76 engagements across 16 days in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, which will include Sydney, Dubbo, Melbourne and Queensland’s Fraser Island.
The tour coincides with the Invictus Games in Sydney, which runs from October 20-28 and the couple will mark the games’ launch and closing ceremony in the city.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the royal visit would have flow-on benefits and hosting the Invictus Games would also be a “huge boost” for NSW.
“I hope the weather holds up because it will be a wonderful experience for everybody and what better place to be able to welcome them and hopefully we’ll give them Sydney sunshine, not Melbourne rain,” Ms Berejiklian told Channel Nine today.
Ms Berejiklian said balancing security with public access to the couple was not easy but she felt there would be a healthy balance.
“It’s not an easy task but we know the couple love meeting people, they’re very spontaneous, they want the opportunity to talk to people and I guess the police take all of that into consideration,” she said.
“Safety always comes first, security comes first, but also making sure the couple have the freedom to do what they enjoy.”
Invictus Games was founded by Prince Harry in 2014, which gives sick and injured service personnel and veterans the opportunity to compete in sports such as wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.
The visit comes six months after Prince Charles made his 16th official visit to Australia, primarily to open the 21st Commonwealth Games on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
