Royal tour: Best way to actually meet Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

THERE’S one sure-fire way to get close to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, you just need to know this simple hack.

IF THERE’S one thing we’ve learned so far from the royal tour, it’s that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are keen for a chat.

But when there are thousands of other keen fans jostling for their precious few seconds with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the chances of actually landing some proper face time with them is incredibly slim.

MORE: All the action from Day One of the Royal Tour

I was very briefly this close to Prince Harry.

Meghan Markle almost looked at me. Photo: Bronte Coy

As part of the media pack, we were stationed across from the swelling crowd actual hours before the royals arrived for their first big appearance on Tuesday — and it left plenty of downtime for us to try and pick who Harry and Meghan would stop and chat to.

Most of us guessed the kids with signs — and we were right.

It was easy to see that the cute young fans standing at the front of the barricades holding giant handwritten notes were going to score themselves a visit from the royals.

I mean, how cute is this?

These kids had the right idea. Photo: Bronte Coy

Another way to catch the royals’ eye is to go for some comedy.

Emerson Yee, 15, gambled that the cheeky prince would enjoy a little school-related gag, and he didn’t disappoint. In fact, she may have even witnessed Harry’s first “dad” moment.

Harry — who’s expecting his first child with Meghan in 2019 — had some faux-stern words after spotting Emerson’s handmade sign.

This sign caught Harry’s eye. Photo: Bronte Coy

“He came over and told me not to miss school again,” she told news.com.au, adding that he also thanked her and her friends for showing up to see him.

Afterwards, he laughed and told Emerson: “Perfect attendance, well done!”

The royals also prioritised chatting with those who had brought them gifts (and who can blame them?).

Rhonda, 56, who’d travelled to the city from Rouse Hill to meet Harry and Meghan, knew not to show up empty-handed.

“I gave them a baby blanket in the shape of a little sheep, and a Baby’s First Farm Book, with, you know, farm pictures inside … And I gave flowers to Meghan,” she told news.com.au.

“They came over and said to me, ‘Thank you very much’.”

Nova 969 newsreader Matt de Groot had the right idea, handing a $500 bunch of flowers to the couple.

The royals decided to stop after de Groot’s bouquet caught the eye of Meghan, causing Harry to joke about the size of them.

“You can’t give flowers that big to my wife, what is that all about?” Harry joked, pointing a finger in mock anger at de Groot.

Harry also made a point of stopping by for some playful banter with a little boy who was peering at him through the metal barrier — probably getting in some more “dad” practice.

This is very cute. Source: Bronte Coy

With nine days in Australia left of the royal tour, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to try and meet Harry and Meghan. Our advice? Bring a sign and/or presents.

Good luck.