Prince Harry and Meghan Markle posed for selfies with members of the public in what has been dubbed a “surreal” moment during their tour of Australia.
The duke and duchess took part in Melbourne’s Scar Tree Walk on day three of their trip Down Under, a traditional Aboriginal route that blends contemporary culture with the local Indigenous people of the Kulin nation.
During their stroll along the bank of the Yarra River, one of the most popular running routes in Australia’s most populous city, the couple stopped to allow stunned onlookers the chance of a photograph.
A substantial number of photographers and television crews quickly surrounded the duke and duchess, while five police officers were dispatched to manage the growing media presence.
Meghan paired blue jeans with a light-tan trench-style coat over a white T-shirt with a red heart featuring the word “Mama” inside it.
The shirt is believed to be in support of the Alliance of Moms, aiding youth in the Los Angeles foster care system; a touching tribute to her friend, Kelly McKee Zajfen, who founded the organisation and lost her son to Covid-19 aged nine.
Meanwhile, Harry mirrored the more casual approach, stepping out in a light blue button-up shirt with his sleeves rolled, paired with dark jeans.
The prince spoke to local Rohan Davies, who described the experience as “surreal”, along with his three-year-old daughter Heidi.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle posed for selfies with members of the public in what has been dubbed a ‘surreal’ moment during their tour of Australia
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“He said that she had a beautiful top on and I just asked whether I could take a picture and he said ‘yeah’,” Mr Davies said.
The couple happily obliged numerous requests for photographs, with one woman clutching her infant while welcoming them to Australia.
When a young boy expressed his admiration for Suits, the legal drama in which Meghan once starred, Harry stepped aside to allow the fan a picture with his wife.
Brazilian visitor Sofia Rocha, 29, interrupted her riverside jog upon spotting the commotion. “I never imagined I’d be so close to a very important couple that has a lot of influence worldwide,” she said.
The couple happily obliged numerous requests for photographs, despite Meghan charging hundreds for selfies at her event
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“They were looking very nice and seemed patient and really open to talking to people.”
Meghan is set to appear at a Sydney wellness retreat this weekend, where admirers seeking a photograph must pay an extra AUD$330 (£175) for a group picture as part of a VIP package.
Standard tickets begin at approximately $1,780 (£942), while the upgraded experience costs around $2,110 (£1,116) and includes a private room alongside an exclusive goodie bag.
The duke and duchess took part in Melbourne’s Scar Tree Walk on day three of their trip Down Under, a traditional Aboriginal route that blends contemporary culture with the local Indigenous people of the Kulin nation
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GETTY
A strict prohibition on mobile phones and recording devices during Meghan’s interview session has been described as a “non-negotiable security requirement”.
Organiser Gemma O’Neill insisted the duchess’s involvement stemmed from genuine enthusiasm rather than financial motivation.
“She’s doing it because she really loves what our community is about, which is women trying to grow, try to be their best selves and trying to help other women,” she added.