Prince Harry and Meghan are heading to regional NSW — and Dubbo is ready
IT’LL be a right royal knees-up and across the state, final tweaks are being made to perfect preparations for the arrival of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.
NSW
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IT’LL be a right royal knees-up and across the state, final tweaks are being made to perfect preparations for the arrival of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.
While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will emerged from their flight into Sydney today, the couple officially begin their tour tomorrow with a welcome from their host Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove before heading to Taronga Zoo for some koala-ty marsupial time and to open the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning.
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After bearing up under sustained cuteness the pair will then drop by the Opera House for a Bangarra Dance Company show before a royal walkabout and evening reception.
Although Harry and Markle are in Sydney for the Invictus Games, they will be dropping into the Western NSW town of Dubbo on Wednesday.
“Harry is a no nonsense sort of fella and I would imagine he would want to meet as many people as possible,” mayor Ben Shields said. “We are so excited — we’re running around like headless chooks.”
He said the royal visit would help to lighten the mood as the region battles drought with Harry and Markle joining about 10,000 locals for a community barbecue.
They will also visit a farm, which Mr Shields said would “highlight the plight of the farming community”.
“It’s certainly a morale booster,” Mr Shields said.
At the Dubbo headquarters of the Royal Flying Doctor Service the royals will get a tour of the $14 million facilities set to be finished next year.
“It’s exciting to have such a famous couple coming to visit us,” Chief Medical Officer Randall Greenberg said.
Among the doctors who may rub shoulders with the Duke and Duchess is their fellow Brit, Dr Kiri Oats, from Windsor, the site of Windsor Castle.
“I have waved to Prince Harry from my bedroom back at home multiple times,” she said.
In Dubbo city centre, The Old Bank Restaurant and Bar has collaborated with the Hope Estate winery to produce Dubbo Royale Pacific Lager.
With only 100 cases produced, The Old Bank co-owner Ryan Mackintosh says he’s received calls from across the globe.
“But it will only be available for sale here in Dubbo. I keep telling them, if you want the beer you have to come into town to buy it,” he said.
Meanwhile, cake baker Amy Rutherford is preparing royal picnic packs featuring crown-shaped cookies and cupcakes topped with elderflower buttercream echoing the flavours of the couple’s wedding cake.
“It’s all very exciting, to be picked out of every other rural town; it’s pretty special,” she said.
Angela Higgins from Burgan & Brennan Optometrists said: “We’ll be closing — it’s a once in a lifetime chance … I love Harry, I think he’s gorgeous and charming. He’s just like his mother, always doing good.”
The Party Shop owner Rachel Layton said she had sold out of all royal decorations weeks ago.
Across the city, shop fronts have been decorated head to toe in British flags, crowns and Harry and Meghan pictures as part of Dubbo Council’s Ignite Program which offers a $1000 prize for the best dressed shop front.
Among the best decorated is the Castlereagh Hotel, where the balcony is dressed with life-size cardboard cut-outs of Meghan and Harry.
Hotel manager Rhiannon Chapman said: “I can’t wait for them to come, it’s exciting for a country girl like me.”
Carpenter Chris Rathbone was equally enthusiastic.
“It’s great for the region, there’s going to be no losers from this,” he said.
Dubbo has previously hosted the Queen in 1954 and 1992, and, in 1920, her uncle Edward, who later became King Edward VIII before abdicating.
It’s Games on for Invictus crew
THE games are afoot — and more than a thousand Invictus volunteers are stepping up their preparations with a final training session at Sydney Olympic Park today.
The Invictus Games opening ceremony is just a week away, with founder Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle arriving on Monday, and volunteers will be brushing up on their specific roles which include guiding, merchandise sales and competitor liaison.
“These volunteers will help to bring these Games to life. Many have a proud history of their families serving their nation and all are passionate about supporting the 500 competitors and their families,” Invictus Games Sydney CEO Patrick Kidd said.
Transport team member Matthew Patterson Norrie said he was glad to help.
“Having family members who have served and are still serving, it is a privilege to give back to those who have been wounded, injured or become ill," he said.
Volunteers will be clad in Australiana-themed uniforms designed by homegrown brand, KingGee.
Only 80 per cent of tickets have been sold, so there’s still a chance to be part of the action — and possibly get a glimpse of the royal pair.
The Invictus Games Sydney 2018 run from October 20-27.