Hugs for Harry! Pregnant Meghan can’t hide her delight as adorable little boy refuses to let go of her Prince after couple arrive in rural Dubbo to meet drought-hit farmers, Aboriginal children and flying doctors
- The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting the country city of Dubbo, in northwestern New South Wales
- The royal couple met with flying doctors and drought-stricken farmers during their visit on Wednesday
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will also meet with Aboriginal children at a college campus in the city
- The country visit comes after their tour of Sydney, where they visitied the Opera House and Taronga Zoo
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a new best friend when they touched down in the drought-stricken town of Dubbo in northwestern New South Wales.
Luke Vincent, a five-year-old in kindergarten at Buninyong Public School, was overjoyed to meet Harry and Meghan when his turn came – and he just couldn’t stop hugging a delighted Prince Harry or Meghan Markle.
The youngster stroked Harry’s beard and ruffled the Prince’s hair before handing the Meghan a bouquet of flowers, to the smiles and applause of the throngs of schoolchildren waving flags and holding welcome messages at Dubbo Airport.
The little boy, who has Down syndrome, was transfixed by the Duke’s facial hair, according to the school’s Principal Anne Van Dartel.
‘He got a hug from Meghan and then Harry bent down to speak to him and Luke didn’t give him any choice. Luke’s favourite person in the world is Santa Claus, who has a beard. So he rubbed Harry’s beard,’ she said.
‘It’s been a wonderful experience for these little country kids to meet people they’ve only ever seen on TV.’
The Duchess and her husband Prince Harry were in Dubbo, Australia, on the second day of their historic first international tour together which will also take them to New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga over 16 days.
Meghan admitted early pregnancy has left her a ‘bit tired’ and she is ‘running on adrenaline’ but showed no sign of fatigue as she threw herself into her royal duties.
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Five-year-old Luke Vincent managed to stroke Prince Harry’s beard after the royal arrived in Dubbo, stealing the show after the royal couple shook hands with every single student on the tarmac
Luke, who was among schoolchildren who greeted the royal couple at Dubbo Airport on Wednesday morning, received a hug from Prince Harry
The kindergarten student had waited at the very end of the line to met the royal couple who are spending Wednesday in the regional city of Dubbo
Mother-to-be Meghan Markle also hugged Luke, a student from Buninyong Public School, at Dubbo Airport on Wednesday
Meghan was all smiles as she hugged Luke, who had waited patiently at Dubbo Airport to see the Duchess of Sussex
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a new best friend when they touched down in the drought-stricken regional city
The Duke and Duchess spent time with Luke after they arrived in Dubbo for the second full day of their Australian tour
The royal couple were visibly delighted to meet with five-year-old Luke during their tour of Dubbo in Wednesday
The youngster, who was sporting green glasses and a checkered cap with his school uniform, had also handed the Duchess of Sussex a bouquet of flowers
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The Duke and Duchess later met the Woodley family, who have operated a mixed sheep, cattle and cropping enterprise over five generations since 1887
The family explained how they have adapted to the drought, before inviting Harry and Meghan for morning tea at the homestead with their family
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are showing their support for farming families affected by one of Australia’s worst ever droughts while in Dubbo
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Forecast rain held off while the children jumped up and down with anticipation, cheering as the couple came down the steps from their RAAF jet for the second full day of their royal tour.
Luke’s school uploaded a picture of the youngster travelling on the bus on the way to meet the royal couple at the airport
Despite running behind schedule, Harry and Meghan took their time with the school children, the Prince bouncing around energetically and Meghan kneeling down to speak to them.
Ms Van Dartel said of the royal couple’s visit to Dubbo, whose farming community has been hit by the devastating drought in recent months, ‘This is a real morale boost.’
James Fogg, 11, from Eumungerie Public School, which has just nine pupils, told Harry he wanted to be a helicopter pilot, with the Duke replying ‘Good choice, good man’.
James said: ‘This is so exciting for Dubbo. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet them.’
Five-year-old Lyra Rose, of Dubbo South Public School, said: ‘It’s the first time I have met a princess and I will remember it forever, while school captain Mali Hopkins-Davies, 12, said: ‘Harry asked us when we had had rain. They seemed to know a lot about the drought.’
Millie Sutcliffe, 10, from Dubbo South Public School, hugged both royals.
‘My wish came true. I said congratulations on the baby and they thanked me. I said ‘I love you guys’ and I got a hug. They said ‘thank you for coming to meet us, you guys are awesome’.’
Lachlan Eddy and Tyson Salt, both 12, from Dubbo West Public School, had Meghan in stitches as they performed some energetic dance moves.’
‘She said it was very funny,’ Lachlan said.
Earlier Meghan held an umbrella up for her husband Prince Harry as the rain poured down while he gave a speech in Dubbo
Prince Harry has ignored the torrential rain to deliver an inspiring speech dedicated to Australia’s struggling farmers
Prince Harry said while rural Australians had a lot to be proud of, ‘I know that life has not been easy’, mentioning the devastating drought
Harry and Meghan began their visit by watching a display of jumping dogs – with the Duke trying his hand at beckoning a canine over a wall
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had touched down in the New South Wales regional city of Dubbo on Wednesday morning
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Dubbo after flying in from Sydney Airport, as they continue their tour of Australia
The royal couple arrived at Dubbo airport, where they were met by local dignitaries, as excited schoolchildren watched on
Meghan was dressed wearing Australian Outland jeans, a Maison Kitsune shirt, J Crew Boots and a Serena Williams Collection jacket. Her necklace is by Aussie designer Natalie Marie. Prince Harry was wearing a blue shirt and trousers
Meghan was glowing as Prince Harry waved to the wellwishers who had turned out at Dubbo airport to greet the couple
The Duchess of Sussex received a bouquet of flowers from locals in Dubbo, which is about 400 km (249 miles) from Sydney
The Duke and Duchess met with local schoolchildren who had lined-up to see the couple arrive at Dubbo airport
Prince Harry meets with the local schoolchildren after stepping off the Royal Australian Air Force plane from Sydney
Prince Harry and Meghan were also met on the tarmac by regional mayor Councillor Ben Shields and Indigenous Elder Aubrey Grace Toomey.
Meghan was dressed wearing Australian Outland jeans, a Maison Kitsune shirt, J Crew Boots and a Serena Williams Collection jacket. Her necklace is by Aussie designer Natalie Marie. Prince Harry was wearing a blue shirt and trousers.
Also in the line-up was Troy Grant MP, the member for Dubbo and minister for police and emergency services, and his wife Toni.
Previous royal visitors to Dubbo have included Edward, Prince of Wales, in 1920, the Queen in 1954 and 1992 and Prince Edward in 2006.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were showing their support for farming families affected by one of Australia’s worst ever droughts while in Dubbo.
The farming region has been blighted by temperatures in excess of 45C leading to the death of thousands of cattle, loss of livelihood and severe food shortages. Some areas have experienced the driest spell since records began in 1900.
Prince Harry and Meghan visited the Royal Flying Doctor Service after their arrival to learn more about the life-saving role the aviation service provides for people living in rural areas.
There, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met a hero medic who pulled three survivors from a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.
Harry and Meghan were mobbed and the Duchess admitted she was a ‘bit tired’ and ‘running on adrenaline’ in the early stages of pregnancy
Duchess of Sussex watch aboriginal dances at Victoria Park in Dubbo, where students said a mixed race woman in the royal family was an inspiration to them
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled a new aircraft for the Royal Flying Doctor Service while in Dubbo
The royal couple were greeted by signs including ‘Dubbo loves Harry and Meghan’ as they toured the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s Dubbo facility
Before leaving the Royal Flying Doctor Service facility in Dubbo, the couple cut a cake marking the 90th anniversary of the service
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Marcus Wilson, 47, an ex-soldier who was running a medical service at the time, was awarded Australia’s Bravery Medal for his actions. Inspired by Prince Harry, Mr Wilson will be taking part in the Invictus Games in the sailing event.
Now manager of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Broken Hill, about 1500 km from Sydney, Mr Wilson spent 14 years in the military – first as a gunner, then as a medic – before setting up a medical evacuation service for aid workers in Afghanistan.
He was at NATO HQ in Kabul in October 2015 when a helicopter crashed near where he was standing.
‘It missed me by 15-20 feet,’ Mr Wilson, who met the couple at a RFDS event in Dubbo, said. ‘It was an intense experience.
‘I was the first on the scene. I got people to get fire extinguishers and then spent one and a half hours retrieving the deceased and survivors from the wreckage, crawling through the air frame. The space that we crawled through was 35cm high. It was ankle deep in fuel.
‘Because everything collapsed we had to use bolt cutters. We could not use saws because of the fuel.’
Five died – two RAF crew and three contractors – and four survived. Mr Wilson, who was one of three rescuers, added: ‘It was terrifying. If it caught on fire there was absolutely no escape.’
Mr Wilson said he went inside the helicopter because he was older than most people at the scene.
Dubbo crowds await the arrival of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at a picnic in Victoria Park
The hundreds of people had waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the royal couple in the regional city
‘I had had a chance to live my life. I didn’t want other people to take the risk that I felt I should take.’
Medically discharged from the army because of a spinal injury, and traumatised by the helicopter crash, Mr Wilson found himself at a loss after leaving Afghanistan.
Then he watched the Invictus Games in Toronto, and volunteered for the Sydney games.
‘I have seen how much it has impacted not just on me but other team members and their families.’
At the RFDS event, which saw a new aircraft being delivered as the service marked its 90th anniversary, the Duke and Duchess also met patients including Keiley Storer, three, who has suffered from a larynx condition which blocks her airway.
She gave the Duchess a posy. It turned out to be a two-way transaction.
Her mother Melissa, 34, said: ‘She said, ‘Would you like one too?’ and gave her the white one. Then she saw Keiley looking and said, ‘Would you like the big pink one?’
‘But Keiley got distressed that she pulled apart the posy.’
Her father Christopher said: ‘She shed some tears shortly after. It was, ‘Oh no, my posy’.
The couple also met nurses and other staff and volunteers from the service.
David Charlton, RFDS aviation general manager, said they talked about how a few times a year babies are sometimes born mid-flight.
‘Our staff thought at was quite interesting, given the couple’s current condition. The couple found it most amusing, and interesting. We all wanted to ask if it was a boy or a girl, but everyone behaved themselves.’
Before leaving, the couple cut a cake marking the anniversary. Harry gave it a good sniff, and helped himself to a bit of icing.
‘He licked the icing from the knife,’ Mr Charlton said, ‘which in Australian parlance ‘is going straight to the pool room’.
The Duke and Duchess later met the Woodley family, who have operated a mixed sheep, cattle and cropping enterprise over five generations since 1887.
Scott and Elaine Woodley, who farm full time alongside their 23-year-old daughter Laura, took Their Royal Highnesses on a short tour of the farm
The Duchess of Sussex whipped up a loaf of banana bread to take with her on a visit to a farm to highlight the plight of farmers hit by drought
Pregnant Meghan, 37, cooked the delicious treat in the kitchen at Admiralty House on Tuesday night following her first full day of engagements in Sydney
Scott and Elaine Woodley, who farm full time alongside their 23-year-old daughter Laura, took Their Royal Highnesses on a short tour of the farm, including to the paddock where the Duke and Duchess had an opportunity to help feed the cattle.
The Duchess of Sussex whipped up a loaf of banana bread to take with her on a visit to a farm to highlight the plight of farmers hit by drought.
Pregnant Meghan, 37, cooked the delicious treat in the kitchen at Admiralty House, the home of the Governor-General of Australia, on Tuesday night following her first full day of engagements in Sydney.
She took the cake, packed with chocolate chips and a touch of ginger, with her to Mountain View Farm outside of Dubbo in New South Wales, where she met the Woodleys, a five generation farming family.
An aide said: ‘She loves baking and just decided to take something along with her on the spur of the moment.
The duchess also took along the perfect accompaniment- a tin of Fortnum and Mason ‘Royal Blend’ tea.
Before the Duchess had even left the cake was three-quarters of the way gone.
Benita Woodley, 20, the daughter of Scott and Elaine declared it delicious: ‘It was such a nice and thoughtful thing for her to do. We are really touched’.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are pictured boarding a plane at Sydney Airport, bound for Dubbo
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were each holding an Akubra hat which had been gifted to them by the Governor-General of Australia and his wife a day earlier
Meghan was dressed in a grey blazer with a white shirt and dark pants, while Prince Harry was wearing a blue shirt and trousers as they boarded the plane to Dubbo
More than 10,000 people are later set to turn out for a picnic in Dubbo’s Victoria Park to celebrate community spirit within the region.
People have been travelling from around the region to attend the event and there is not single hotel room left in the town, according to local reports.
Harry and Meghan will visit a number of stalls to meet individuals and groups from the community, including representatives from Team Rubicon, Drought Angels, and Headspace. The Prince is expected to say a few words.
Before they leave the royal couple will visit two local schools. At one they will to lean more about its work to improve the life skills, self esteem, and employment prospects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders young men.
And the second will see them learn more about efforts to reduce the barriers preventing Indigenous girls from completing their education and reaching their full potential.
The visit to Dubbo is part of a jam-packed schedule of 76 engagements across 16 days, with the royals visiting Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland’s Fraser Island, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand on their first overseas tour since they were married.
The royal couple boarded the Royal Australian Air Force plane at Sydney Airport on Wednesday morning
The visit to Dubbo is part of the couple’s 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, their first overseas tour since they were married in late May
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were back at Sydney Airport just two days after they touched down in Australia for the visit to Dubbo
Getting some tips, Harry? Pregnant Meghan and her Prince get a crash course in child birth from the flying doctors after being shown a simulated labour on Australian tour
They will no doubt be learning plenty about pregnancy over the next six months ahead of their first child’s arrival.
But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex got in some early practice in child birth during their tour of Australia today as they received a crash course in maternity from Royal Flying Doctor Service volunteers at Dubbo Airport.
The soon-to-be parents were clearly interested in the medical dummy on a stretcher, with doctors showing them various emergency scenarios – including a baby in a small practice incubator.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex look at a medical training aid designed to simulate a pregnant patient at Dubbo Airport
Harry and Meghan look at a medical training aid designed to simulate a baby in an incubator in Australia today
Harry and Meghan speak to members of the Royal Flying Doctor Service as they learn about their medical training aids
The soon-to-be parents were clearly interested in the medical dummy on a stretcher at Dubbo Airport today
It comes two days after Kensington Palace revealed Meghan and Harry are expecting a baby next spring – in an announcement made just five months after their spectacular wedding at Windsor Castle.
Meghan, wearing Outlander jeans, an Australian brand, a Maison Kitsune shirt and Serena Williams Collection shirt, and Harry spoke to volunteers for the service and dedicated a new plane as it marked its 90th anniversary.
The couple met nurses and other staff and volunteers from the service during their visit to the hangar. David Charlton, RFDS aviation general manager, said discussion turned to the number of babies which are born mid-air.
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He said: ‘Our staff thought it was quite interesting, given the couple’s current condition. The couple found it most amusing, and interesting. We all wanted to ask if it was a boy or a girl, but everyone behaved themselves.’
Harry and mother-to-be Meghan were introduced to health workers as well as those who have been helped by the RFDS which provides healthcare across 2.97million square miles (7.69 million square kilometres) of Australia.
But a large cake on offer also appeared to catch the duke’s eye. After he and Meghan cut the cake, Harry gave it a sniff and helped himself to some of the icing.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex received a crash course in maternity from Royal Flying Doctor Service volunteers
Harry and Meghan got in some early practice in child birth at Dubbo Airport during their tour of Australia today
Their visit comes two days after Kensington Palace revealed Meghan and Prince Harry are expecting a baby next spring
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Mr Charlton said the service would consider the knife a prized possession. He said: ‘He licked the icing from the knife which in Australian parlance ‘is going straight to the pool room’.’
The couple are on a 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. During their visit to the drought-affected city of Dubbo, Meghan spoke to farmer Emily Carroll about motherhood and made a fuss of her baby Ruby.
The 33-year-old said: ‘They both had a little tickle with her. She’s normally in bed at 10.30am but we had to stay up for this. She’s done so well.
‘Meghan told me that she’s feeling pretty good so far, which is great, and that she’s running on adrenaline. She said they’re doing 76 engagements in 16 days, with maybe one rest in the middle. They’re both great with kids.’
The couple swapped the koalas and crowds of Sydney for the rural city in New South Wales, with the palace saying the duke was keen to visit regional Australia.
Dubbo, 190 miles outside of Sydney, has been stricken by drought but the skies looked ominous during their visit. The welcome was warm, with one pupil reaching out for a hug with the duke as the couple arrived in the city.
The announcement of Meghan’s pregnancy came just five months after the spectacular royal wedding at Windsor Castle
Meghan and Harry spoke to volunteers for the service and dedicated a new plane as it marked its 90th anniversary
The couple met nurses and other staff and volunteers from the service during their visit to the hangar at Dubbo Airport
Luke Vincent, five, was one of the 150-strong welcome party and went in for an embrace with Harry and stroked the royal’s beard. School principal Anne Van Darrel said the youngster was mesmerised with Harry’s facial hair.
She said: ‘He got a hug from Meghan and then Harry bent down to speak to him and Luke didn’t give him any choice!’ Luke’s favourite person in the world is Santa Claus, who has a beard. So he rubbed Harry’s beard.
‘It’s been a wonderful experience for these little country kids to meet people they’ve only ever seen on TV.’
Much-needed rain – which the duke called a ‘gift’ – did eventually fall as hundreds of people came to catch a look at the couple at Victoria Park. Harry praised the resilience of the city and its people following the barren period.
During a speech to the assembled crowd, he joked ‘I’ve got my wife’ as he was offered an umbrella before taking to the lectern at Dubbo’s Victoria Park, as Meghan provided shelter from his side.
‘You people are the salt of the earth, hard working and as tough as they come,’ he said. ‘I know that life has not been easy. You have just lived through two years of drought.’
Meghan was wearing Outlander jeans, an Australian brand, a Maison Kitsune shirt and Serena Williams Collection shirt
A member of the Flying Doctor Service team said discussion turned to the number of babies which are born mid-air
Harry and mother-to-be Meghan were introduced to health workers as well as those who have been helped by the RFDS
To laughter from the crowd, he said: ‘Despite recent welcome rain, it is going to take a lot more and a long time to recover.
‘You are all the toughest people out there, the most persistent, the ones who can weather the storm or the drought.’
Should the duke have wished to whet his whistle after getting drenched in Dubbo, he could take advantage of a gift given by 62-year-old Peter West.
The Taree man gave the duke a can of Dubbo Royale – a ‘special brew’ which has been made to mark the royal visit and contains UK lager and American hops.
He said: ‘It’s a mixture from her town in America and his in England. It’s beautiful. We bought a slab to take home but we had a few waiting here this morning.’
The RFDS provides healthcare across 2.97million square miles (7.69 million square kilometres) of Australia
Harry and Meghan visited Dubbo Airport while on a 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga
The couple will no doubt be learning plenty about pregnancy over the next few months ahead of their first child’s arrival
The rain put paid to plans of outdoor activities at their last engagement of the day at the Clontarf Academy.
Students had planned to participate in a session of netball and touch football drills on the school oval, highlighting the importance of sport in education.
But as the downpour started, the sports demonstrations were abandoned and the pupils rushed over to meet the royal couple under a covered area.
Harry told pupils at the academy, which aims to improve the life skills, self-esteem, and employment prospects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young men, about the importance of talking to friends about personal problems.
The duke, who has spoken in the past about his own mental issues, said: ‘There is a stigma still attached from our parents and grandparents’ time not to talk about mental health.’
Harry the reignmaker! Prince says ‘it’s all right, I’ve got my wife!’ as Meghan steps in to hold an umbrella over his head when official goes to help him – after royals bring rain to drought-hit rural Australian town
This is the touching moment Meghan Markle shielded Prince Harry from torrential rain as he delivered an inspiring speech to struggling farmers on the second day of the couple’s Australian tour.
The Duchess of Sussex smiled as she stepped in to help her husband when the heavens opened in Dubbo, New South Wales today.
As the mayor offered his umbrella to shelter the prince from the rain, Harry joked: ‘It’s all right, I’ve got my wife’.
But the torrential downpour did little to deter the Dubbo community, with a crowd of 15,000 people turning out to greet the royal couple.
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Meghan Markle held an umbrella up for her husband Prince Harry as the rain poured down while he gave a speech in Dubbo
Prince Harry has ignored the torrential rain to deliver an inspiring speech dedicated to Australia’s struggling farmers
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Dubbo’s Victoria Park on Wednesday afternoon where a huge crowd had turned out to see the royal couple
Later on Wednesday Harry repaid the favour by holding an umbrella to shelter Meghan from the rain in Dubbo, Australia
Harry said the rain was ‘a gift’ for drought-hit local farmers, and spoke of how visiting the rural town reminded him of his time working as a jackaroo on a remote cattle property in Australia during his gap year.
He also urged drought-stricken farmers to seek help battling their mental struggles, just like he did when tackling his own demons following the death of his mother Princess Diana.
‘Sixty-four years ago my grandparents, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were right here visiting all of you.
‘It’s a great pleasure to be able to visit this area now and be able to report back how much life has changed in the Great Western plains region since then,’ Prince Harry said in his speech at Dubbo’s Victoria Park.
‘Coming here brings back memories of 2003 when I spent some time on a small 16,000 hectare property in Roma in Queensland chasing cows through the bush… and it was great – I perfected the great Aussie salute.
‘The greatest part about visiting country Australia is the people. You are the salt to of the earth: honest, hardworking and as tough as they come.
‘That resilience, sense of humour and commitment to the land are what make you unique. You are the backbone of this country.’
To laughter from the crowd, the drenched prince said: ‘Despite recent welcome rain, it is going to take a lot more and a long time to recover.’
Prince Harry said while rural Australians had a lot to be proud of, ‘I know that life has not been easy’, mentioning the devastating drought
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were gifted a boomerang after his speech during the couple’s visit to Dubbo
Prince Harry pretends to throw a boomerang gifted to him after his speech in Dubbo, in regional New South Wales
Prince Harry said the royal couple have been ‘impressed and inspired’ by stories of Australians rallying together to help one another during adversity
The couple received an array of gifts during their visit, from traditional clapping sticks offered by dignitaries through to a can of Dubbo Royale lager
‘You are all the toughest people out there, the most persistent, the ones who can weather the storm or the drought.’
Prince Harry said while rural Australians had a lot to be proud of, ‘I know that life has not been easy’, in reference to the devastating drought.
‘It must be hard not to lose hope when you endure so many dry months knowing you are powerless to do anything about it,’ the Duke of Sussex said.
‘The rich traditions of the Australian outback are legendary. You have a lot to be proud of. But I know that life has not been easy. You have just lived through two years of drought. And despite welcome rain it’s going to take a lot more and a long time to recover.
‘People in many farming communities generally don’t feed themselves before they need, they are often more isolated, social networks are smaller and there is still a stigma surrounding mental health.
‘We know that suicide rates in rural and remote areas are greater than in urban populations and this may especially be true among young men in remote regions.
‘But outside all of that, here’s what I also know. You are one huge community and with that comes an unparalleled level of internal support and understanding.
Five-year-old Luke Vincent managed to stroke Prince Harry’s beard after the royal arrived in Dubbo, stealing the show after the royal couple shook hands with every single student on the tarmac
Luke, who was among schoolchildren who greeted the royal couple at Dubbo Airport on Wednesday morning, received a hug from Prince Harry
‘All you need to do is ask for it… chances are they may well be suffering too, and will relish the opportunity to either listen or talk themselves. You need to know a part of being strong and tough is having the courage to ask for help when you need it. You must not silently suffer.
‘If I may speak personally, we are all in this together, because asking for help was one of the best decisions that I ever made. You will be continually amazed how life changes for the better.’
Prince Harry said the royal couple have been ‘impressed and inspired’ by stories of Australians rallying together to help one another during adversity.
‘Your culture of mateship and reputation for looking out for each other ensures that when people are ready to ask for help they will be heard.’
The royal couple got the chance to meet a number of local children during their time in Dubbo, which made for touching scenes in light of their recent baby announcement.
They made a new friend in Luke Vincent, a five-year-old in kindergarten at Buninyong Public School.
The kindergarten student had waited at the very end of the line to met the royal couple who are spending Wednesday in the regional city of Dubbo
The boy, who has Down syndrome, was overjoyed to meet Harry and Meghan when his turn came – and he just couldn’t stop hugging the delighted royal couple.
The youngster stroked Harry’s beard and ruffled the Prince’s hair before handing the Meghan a bouquet of flowers, to the smiles and applause of the throngs of schoolchildren waving flags and holding welcome messages at the regional city’s airport.
The little boy was transfixed by the Duke’s facial hair, according to the school’s Principal Anne Van Dartel.
‘He got a hug from Meghan and then Harry bent down to speak to him and Luke didn’t give him any choice. Luke’s favourite person in the world is Santa Claus, who has a beard. So he rubbed Harry’s beard,’ she said.
‘It’s been a wonderful experience for these little country kids to meet people they’ve only ever seen on TV.’
Forecast rain held off while the children jumped up and down with anticipation, cheering as the couple came down the steps from their RAAF jet for the second full day of their royal tour.
Despite running behind schedule, Harry and Meghan took their time with the school children, the Prince bouncing around energetically and Meghan kneeling down to speak to them.
Meghan was all smiles as she hugged Luke, who had waited patiently at Dubbo Airport to see the Duchess of Sussex
Ms Van Dartel said of the royal couple’s visit to Dubbo, whose farming community has been hit by the devastating drought in recent months: ‘This is a real morale boost’.
James Fogg, 11, from Eumungerie Public School, which has just nine pupils, told Harry he wanted to be a helicopter pilot, with the Duke replying: ‘Good choice, good man’.
‘This is so exciting for Dubbo. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet them,’ James said.
Five-year-old Lyra Rose, of Dubbo South Public School, said: ‘It’s the first time I have met a princess and I will remember it forever, while school captain Mali Hopkins-Davies, 12, said: ‘Harry asked us when we had had rain. They seemed to know a lot about the drought.’
Millie Sutcliffe, 10, from Dubbo South Public School, hugged both royals.
‘My wish came true. I said congratulations on the baby and they thanked me. I said “I love you guys” and I got a hug. They said: “Thank you for coming to meet us, you guys are awesome”.’
Lachlan Eddy and Tyson Salt, both 12, from Dubbo West Public School, had Meghan in stitches as they performed some energetic dance moves. She said it was very funny,’ Lachlan said.
Welcome to the country! Prince Harry has onlookers in hysterics as he playfully mocks woman swatting flies during a speech in Dubbo
Prince Harry has playfully swatted flies away from a woman during his trip to country Australia – prompting his pregnant wife Meghan Markle to burst out laughing.
His hilarious parody of the ‘Aussie salute’ – where Australians wave their hands in front of their faces to keep away flies – happened as Ruth Sandow, a representative of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, delivered a speech about the body’s importance to remote Australia.
The hilarious moment was captured on camera during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal visit in Dubbo, northwestern New South Wales, on Wednesday.
The video shows Prince Harry waving his hands around in an attempt to drive away the bugs as Ms Sandow spoke – driving both the crowd and Meghan to hysterics.
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The footage won public approval, with many praising the prince for his genuine gesture.
‘If this doesn’t put a smile on your face I don’t know what will,’ one said.
‘Refreshing funny side of Harry! What a sweet family they make!’ another wrote.
Another posted: ‘Harry is just himself and we love him for it.’
Another commenter said: ‘Oh my God! I have never seen Prince Harry so funny like that. That’s so cute and hilarious.’
Another wrote: ‘I can’t stop watching this clip! He’s so funny!’
And another added: ‘I just love Prince Harry, he is a real genuine person, so down to earth.’
The couple met with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to learn more about the aviation organisation’s provision of emergency health services for people living in remote areas.
Prince Harry has playfully swatted flies away from a woman who was delivering a speech, prompting his pregnant wife Meghan Markle to burst out laughing
Meghan was in hysterics after her royal husband did the ‘Aussie salute’
The footage won public approval, with many praising the prince for his genuine gesture
Earlier on Wednesday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled the RFDS fleet’s newest plane.
The team of doctors said meeting Prince Harry and Meghan was a welcome change of pace.
‘I explained to them some of the equipment we take on our retrievals and they were really interested in it and the amount of things that we can do in pretty much a hospital environment,’ doctor Shannon Townsend said.
She said the couple was ‘lovely’ describing them as ‘very personable, easy to talk to – beautiful people’.
Fellow doctor William Ibbotson said having the royal couple visit would deliver an invaluable boost to the RFDS.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled the new aircraft for the Royal Flying Doctor Service
The team of doctors said meeting Prince Harry and Meghan was a welcome change of pace
The couple greeted their adoring royal fans on Wednesday as they paid a visit to Dubbo
Former and current RFDS patients and children from nine different schools in region were among the crowd gathered at the hangar to meet the royals.
The duke and duchess met repeat patient of the service, Carol Pennell, now in her 70s, who in 2014 was stranded in Hungerford, a seven hour drive with 200km of poor road conditions.
Supporters group member Barara Howells said the couple told them, ‘It’s lovely to be here. There’s a big community spirit here’.
Harry and Meghan dedicated the new Beechcraft King Air B350 propeller plane to the Dubbo & Region Supporters Group.
more videos
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Watch video
Police on scene after Bunny Ranch owner, Dennis Hof, found dead
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Watch video
Meghan holds an umbrella for Harry as he speaks in Dubbo
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Watch video
Adorable moment Harry and Meghan receive hug from young child
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Watch video
Pompeo meets Saudi Crown Prince over journalist’s disappearance
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Watch video
Prince Harry helps speaker swat flies off her face
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Watch video
Meghan Markle greets fans outside the Sydney Opera House
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Watch video
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Watch video
British man Marc Sutton snowboarding and biking in his spare time
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Watch video
Harry and Meghan drive to the Airport as they set off for Dubbo
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Pointing a cheeky index finger at the waiting press and patrons, Prince Harry retorts: ‘You can’t give flowers that big to my wife, what is that all about?’
The group raised the money for the local emergency retrieval transport to mark the 90th year of the RFDS, which was given its royal charter by the Queen in 1955.
The latest video comes just a day after Prince Harry jokingly scolded a spectator at Taronga Zoo for giving his wife a large bouquet of flowers.
Pointing his index finger at the culprit, a grinning Prince Harry said: ‘You can’t give flowers that big to my wife, what is that all about?’
The crowd laughed as a glowing Meghan joined him, saying: ‘Thank you for my flowers!’
The busy itinerary continues on Thursday when the royal couple visits Melbourne, with the Duchess not showing any signs of weariness after announcing her first pregnancy.
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