Royal Tour, Day 6: Tired Meghan all smiles as Harry tells crowd ‘pregnancy takes its toll’
PRINCE Harry has admitted he has concerns for Meghan’s health after she skipped an event. Now she’s decided to “take a step back”.
PRINCE Harry spoke of his concern for Meghan’s health as his wife skipped an event yesterday and revealed she will be taking a step back from the limelight on the royal tour.
But the pregnant Duchess of Sussex still managed to attend lunch with the Prime Minister, sail Sydney Harbour and put in a glamorous appearance at an evening reception alongside her doting husband.
The 37-year-old showed no sign of her tiredness, looking radiant in a black dress and smiling graciously during the couple’s final public appearance in the city, a function for the Invictus Games Foundation at Government House.
They will fly to Fraser Island in Queensland this morning, but Meghan will not attend any engagements, resting while Harry meets with traditional owners of the land and park rangers.
“After a busy program, The Duke and Duchess have decided to cut back The Duchess’s schedule slightly for the next couple of days, ahead of the final week and a half of the tour,” Kensington Palace said in a statement. “The Duke will continue with the engagements on Fraser Island as planned.”
The couple are due to visit Fiji and Tonga after Fraser Island.
They were supposed to spend yesterday at Invictus Games events on and around Sydney Harbour. But after a storm delayed the opening ceremony on Saturday night, Meghan decided not to attend the morning Invictus cycling medal presentation in Sydney’s Domain.
Instead, she chose to rest back at Admiralty House where the couple have been staying, prompting speculation over her health. The prince was left to hand out medals by himself.
As he left the medal ceremony and walked past the NSW Art Gallery, disappointed onlookers yelled out “Harry, where’s Meghan?”
He told the crowd: “She’s resting at home. Being pregnant takes its toll.”
There was further speculation as to whether she would snub Prime Minister Scott Morrison at his Invictus reception lunch at the Pavilion Restaurant in the Domain, where the Duchess was due to meet children and athletes.
However, news.com.au spotted her sneaking in through the back door.
Harry greeted her with a kiss as she emerged from a car driven up to the pavilion. The pair was welcomed by the Mr Morrison and his family and the prince shook hands with the PM’s excited daughters.
Prince Harry was seen on the back veranda of the restaurant giving a speech.
The loved-up couple then set sail in the afternoon, hitting the water in Sydney Harbour to watch the Invictus Games sailing final up close and personal.
After taking in the event, the royal couple arrived back at Admiralty House, the official residence of the Governor-General, hand-in-hand.
Related: How Meghan toppled Taylor Swift in Australia
Related: Meghan recycles dress for opening ceremony
Related: The one thing Kate did we hope Meghan doesn’t do
It was an action-packed day for the Duchess as she helped the prince celebrate the Olympic-style athletic competition for disabled and ill service people.
The expectant mother is not suffering with morning sickness, but is reportedly feeling tired as she juggles royal duties and pregnancy while on tour.
The Sun’s royal reporter Emily Andrews tweeted: “It’s been an exhausting week, and although the Duchess hasn’t had any morning sickness, she has been very tired.”
There will be no cruisy route for the royals as they are set to travel by 4WD over Fraser Island.
Members of the media were warned last week that some of the trip either by ferry or off road on the island might require some travel sickness medication.
HARRY AND THE BUDGIE SMUGGLERS
Invictus runner Ben Yeomans tried to get Prince Harry to sign his specially made budgie smugglers, but the prince refused amid much laughter as Mr Yeomans put them on his head.
However, Harry will be taking home a pair of his own, which have the words “Team Aus Down Under” printed on the bum and were presented privately to him this morning.
Prince Harry gracefully refused to sign a green and gold pair of budgie smugglers, despite the good-natured pleas of Aussie larrikins Mr Yeomans, Damien Irish and Jarrod Kent.
However, it was all smiles and the trio had nothing but praise for the Duke.
— Eliana Lynn (@ElianaLynn1) October 21, 2018
— Eliana Lynn (@ElianaLynn1) October 21, 2018
Mr Kent said they understood it wouldn’t have been a good look in front of the clicking shutters of the world’s press.
“He was totally conscious of that,” Mr Kent laughed. “We were hoping that he’d try them on, but oh well, next time. To be honest, he’s so down to earth, one of the boys really.”
Harry also chatted Invictus athlete Damien Irish, who he had played water polo against in the UK in 2004.
Update! #meghan WILL got to Fraser Island but WONT do any engagements there... a good walk on the beach could be just the ticket. It’s been an exhausting week, and although the Duchess hasn’t had any morning sickness, she has been very tired.
— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) October 21, 2018
It comes after the prince raised a crowd of 4000 competitors, family members and dignitaries to their feet at the Invictus Games opening ceremony as he walked on stage to officially open the event on Saturday night.
The father-to-be delighted the thousands watching on when he spoke of his baby “joy”.
“I have been so proud to be able to introduce my wife to you and we have been so happy to be able to celebrate the personal joy of our newest addition with you all,” Harry said.
Earlier this week, he spoke of how he “couldn’t think of anywhere better” to announce to the world that he and Meghan were expecting their first child.
HARRY IMPRESSES INVICTUS COMPETITORS
The Duke of Sussex proved to Invictus Games competitors he is one of them as competition continues on day two.
The newly married royal took his time stopping to speak with wounded former servicemen and women from across the globe, pausing to place a hand on their scars or to inspect their prosthetic limbs.
“He’s been there, he’s done it, he’s experienced everything that we have all been through,” Aussie cycling competitor Mr Kent said.
Despite starting his chat with the Invictus patron with a laugh, Mr Yeomans said there was a serious moment when he and his mates tried to convey to the prince their gratitude for what he had started.
“We spoke about the games and how inspiring he is to us,” Mr Yeomans said. “He’s absolutely amazing, getting the word out there and inspiring the public and getting everyone behind it.”
‘TOO BRUISED’
The British press reported over the weekend that the Duchess of Sussex refused to tell dad Thomas Markle she was pregnant — and instead asked mum Doria to do it.
A source told The Sun, the mother-to-be was feeling too “bruised and raw” to speak to him after her father revealed details of his conversations with Prince Harry.
Meghan sparkled ahead of the opening ceremony wearing a Stella McCartney dress she previously donned for the Queen’s Birthday celebrations at London’s Royal Albert Hall in April.
STUNNING RECEPTION
The Duke received cheers and a standing ovation for his inspiring speech as he opened the Invictus Games.
“You are the optimistic generation. You are the new generation of service and you are the role models to us all,” he told competitors.
He gave a special message to the country.
“I have a mission for all of you Aussies. And it’s not how many shrimps you can put on the barbie,” he joked.
"@WeAreInvictus has become about the example of service and dedication our competitors have provided to the world.
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 20, 2018
Our Invictus family has turned these games into a symbol of strength, honour and optimism for a new generation." —The Duke of Sussex @InvictusSydney #IG2018 pic.twitter.com/vy5YMUiatJ
“Our competitors have made it to these games, most of them travelling from many thousands of miles away.
“It’s your job to cheer them on and share their stories. It’s your privilege to watch in the stands or with your friends and families around the television. It’s your responsibility to make sure your children know how amazing these guys and girls really are.”
Watch The Duke of Sussex's @InvictusSydney speech in full:https://t.co/DZZQPb1y8N …#IG2018 #GameOnDownUnder
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 20, 2018
Earlier that day, he paid tribute to the thousands of Australians who lost their lives in battle during a visit to the Anzac Memorial in Sydney.
Harry and Meghan laid a wreath on the memorial steps, and as a piper played the military lament, Prince Harry saluted. The Duke also saluted while the Australian national anthem was played.
The couple bowed their heads as a minute’s silence was held to honour the fallen, and Prince Harry stood stiffly at attention by his wife during the military presentation of arms.
ROYAL SUCCESS
The wet weather, which earlier threatened to wash out the event, failed to dampen the spirit of athletes who filed into Saturday night’s ceremony after severe thunder storms lashed the Harbour and delayed the opening by over an hour.
Some attendees were apparently put off by the weather. Some seats remained vacant on the steps of the Opera House, with Invictus officials telling news.com.au a number of attendees had left.
But the wet weather did not dampen the spirits of competitors. The Australian team chanted, “Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi!” as the remaining attendees found their seats on the slippery forecourt.
The 500 athletes from 18 nations, along with their families and supporters, arrived at the function by boat as the heavens opened on the royals’ rainy tour of Australia.
The ceremony included traditional Aboriginal dancing and performances from Australian favourites like Kate Ceberano and Lee Kernaghan, but it was Magda Szubanski who stole the show.
Giving the royal couple the full Aussie treatment, the much-loved comedian burst onto the stage dressed in character as her famous Kath & Kim alter ego Sharon Strzelecki.
King’s unexpected call ahead of Aussie tour
King Charles has made a significant personal decision ahead of his high-profile visit to Australia next week.
Kate’s brother casts doubt on Meghan claim
A key story in James Middleton’s new memoir has cast plenty of doubt over a claim made by both Harry and Meghan about his sister.
Photo reveals shocking Meghan change
The Duchess of Sussex is looking remarkably different for a single reason, reappearing after nearly two months out of the spotlight.