Surfers Paradise identity David ‘Princess’ Buncombe ‘heart of gold’ says Meter Maid

A former Gold Coast Meter Maid has lifted the lid on what Surfers Paradise homeless icon ‘Princess’ – who has not been seen for six weeks - is really like.

A FORMER Gold Coast Meter Maid says absent Surfers Paradise homeless character ‘Princess’ – believed to be in hospital – has a “heart of gold” and was usually “too humble” to accept gifts.

David Buncombe, better known as Princess, is a Glitter Strip homeless fixture, who rocks a barely-there pink bikini but has been missing from the streets of Surfers Paradise for about six weeks.

His disappearance from his usual haunts and high visibility down Cavill Mall and Surf Parade has sparked plenty of speculation about his whereabouts – but also fond memories.

Ex Meter Maid, Sarah Woodhouse said everyone was quick to judge ‘Princess’ for how he chooses to express himself, and “that’s a shame”.

David Buncombe otherwise known as Princess of Surfers Paradise on his favourite bench down Cavill Avenue.

She met Princess back in 2005 when she worked as a Meter Maid for five-six months.

She says that he has a hard life leading up to the streets.

“He is the most beautiful, most gentle soul I’d ever met. He comes from a dark past and has no family contact.

“I would always buy him lunch and coffees, umbrellas and anything I thought he needed on my breaks.”

Ms Woodhouse would hang out with him and gift him anything pink including a bright pink umbrella when it was raining, but he would not accept gifts every time as “he was too humble for the help.”

She says she admired his self-expression and how content he looked while living on the streets.

“Princess is a Gold Coast treasure and he has such a heart of gold and would gladly give you anything from his back, literally.

“He is human on the inside, just like all of us,” she said.

David Buncombe, aka Princess, in Surfers Paradise, talking to the Gold Coast Bulletin about living on the street's of the Gold Coast. Picture: Jerad Williams

In those months when they hung out, Ms Woodhouse said her, plus an elderly woman in her late 70’s, and Princess formed the “weirdest trio walking around Surfers”.

“It was a sight for sore eyes seeing a Meter Maid, an elderly woman, and Princess.”

The woman told Ms Woodhouse so many horrible stories about the history of Princess and how “he’s not a threat just different”

She added that the elderly woman would always tell people that they are “missing out on knowing a gem like him”.

The elderly lady would catch the bus to spend time with Princess and let him come stay at her place for a few days when it was cold to have a shower and for a warm place to sleep.

A former Surfers Paradise security man replied to Ms Woodhouse under the Bulletin Facebook post saying that Princess once helped calm a fight out the front of a club, bringing him water and talking with the young guy and girl involved.

Readers have claimed to have sighted Princess in these last few weeks in Southport and Gold Coast University.

EARLIER: Concerns are growing for a Surfers Paradise identity who has not been seen in public for six weeks.

David Buncombe, better known as Princess, is known for rocking a pink bikini on the Glitter Strip and is a permanent fixture of the Coast’s quirky night-life scene.

Concerns were first raised last month when friend and resident Richard Davies said he was worried that he hadn’t seen Princess, who lives on the bustling streets of Surfers, since Tuesday, March 8.

David ‘Princess’ Buncombe has lived in Surfers Paradise for the past 20 years.

It was understood Princess was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in early March after stepping on glass, but the hospital was unable to provide comment at the time due to privacy reasons.

On April 13, another close friend said Princess remained in hospital after the injury became infected.

There have been no official updates on his condition or whereabouts since then.

Concerned residents have continued to seek answers about Princess on a Facebook community page.

David Buncombe, also known as Princess, of Surfers Paradise on his favourite bench situated in Cavill Ave.

Several people have suggested he remains in hospital.

“Can anyone confirm where Princess is?” Shirmie Tan wrote on Sunday.

“If he is still in hospital, I think we as a community should send him a bouquet or card signed by (passerbys). No one would like to be in hospital for so long.

“It would be nice for him to know that the community (including his favourite, Kylie Minogue), are in his thoughts. I am happy to organise this.”

David Buncombe, aka Princess, in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

In 2014, Princess told the Bulletin he wanted to marry popstar Kylie Minogue.

“I went to Phillip Island and saw a photo of Kylie Minogue in a window and I started to believe Kylie was the girl I was looking for,” he said at the time.

Earlier this year, the identity was named in the Bulletin’s list of top 10 cult figures.

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