Prince, PM fly Invictus Games flag
Royals praised for focus on mental health after Bondi Beach visit
SYDNEY: The Duke of Sussex and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison climbed Sydney Harbour Bridge yesterday afternoon to raise the official Invictus Games flag and mark the arrival of the games to the city.
On a stunning Sydney afternoon, with the flags billowing in the brisk breeze for all to see, the New South Wales standard was lowered to be replaced with the black, white and yellow of the Invictus Games flag.
Prince Harry, who, with his wife, Meghan, had wowed crowds at Bondi Beach on a grey and misty morning before the couple headed to Macarthur Girls’ High School in Parramatta, seemed keen to be doing the climb, which he had done once before, in his teens. His wife, who is expecting their first child, did not take part.
The prince and the prime minister chatted to the athletes for several minutes before setting off on the climb.
They ascended the east top arch of the bridge and crossed the central summit transverse 134m above the water, the prime minister appearing unable to keep up the quick pace set by former army officer Harry. They took in the views before returning the way they had come.
The games, which are the brainchild of Prince Harry, himself a former army captain, celebrate the indomitable spirit of sick and injured service men and women.
Prince Harry’s openness about his personal mental health struggles has been credited with making a difference.
The royal couple have raised the issue several times during their Australian tour and yesterday they took part in a group session with surfers on Bondi Beach.
OneWave founders Grant Trebilco and Sam Schumacher welcomed the couple to their weekly ‘‘antibadvibe circle’’ on the beach.
The duke, talking animatedly, spoke to them of his charity Heads Together, the time punctuated with laughter and applause from those in the group.
‘‘They’re super passionate about mental health.They are showing that mental health does not discriminate,’’ Trebilco said.
‘‘They’re saving lives talking about it.’’
Prince Harry told the group mental health did not discriminate.
‘‘Harry said each and everyone of us will experience poor mental health at some stage in our lives,’’ Charlotte Connell said.
‘‘Harry said it took him not six months, but 18 months to find the right person to speak to. You’re not going to find the right person to speak to straight away.’’
Connell said both Harry and Meghan used exercise as a way of keeping well.
Prince Harry has become known for his mental health advocacy and founded the charity Heads Together with his brother and sisterinlaw, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2016.
He has opened up about own struggles following the death of his mother, Princess Diana, in 1997.
Meghan wore a beach-appropriate olive striped maxidress. Harry wore chinos and a blue shirt.
As soon as the duchess hit the sand, both took off their shoes. It was a stark contrast to the time her sisterinlaw Catherine kept her shoes on at Manly beach.
The Invictus Games start today.