NQ would be truly fit for royalty

A ROYAL reception in crocodile country would be the perfect Queensland welcome to newlyweds Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

This week it was revealed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ( pictured) are heading to Fraser Island in Queensland during their first official royal tour as husband and wife next month.

But Townsville MP Scott Stewart said he would like to see the couple set their sights further north.

“I think it would be great to see Prince Harry and Meghan visit Townsville,” he said.

“We’d invite them up to Paluma to the rainforest … there’s Magnetic Island d and access to the coral reef. You won’t have that on Fraser Island.”

Mr Stewart said the Duke, in particular, might be interested in Townsville’s military history.

“When you look at what we’ve got to offer here particularly, the city is very steeped in World War II history and given Prince Harry’s connections with Defence and, of course, with the Invictus Games it would make a whole lot of sense to go to the largest Defence barracks in Australia,” he said.

Mayor Jenny Hill said she was disappointed when it came to the Federal Government putting together a pro- posed itinerary for the royals Townsville was “not on the map”.

“They’ve ignored the fact we’re the largest military city in Australia,” she said. “I’m sure the troops up here would have loved to have hosted ( Prince Harry), as we would have in the community.”

Cr Hill said the royals could visit the Reef or go to Palm Island and meet the locals in the community’s special centenary year.

An online poll conducted by the Bulletin found readers thought the royals should visit Magnetic Island, Paluma and the Lavarack Barracks.

The Duke and Duchess will visit four Commonwealth countries – Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia – during their tour.

They will land in Australia on October 16.