It’s just ‘a gift’ quips the prince

MEGHAN and Harry brought the British weather with them to drought-stricken Dubbo in Australia.

Huge chunks of south-eastern Australia have been suffering from severe water shortages for two years.

Farmers in the region have been hit by the dry spell, one of the worst for half a century, and the royal couple were due to meet farmers to show support for the drought relief effort.

But shortly before the pair arrived on their Down Under tour, the heavens opened for the first time in months and torrential rain drenched the 15,000 people who had turned out to see them.

In a speech Harry, 34, said the rains were “a gift”, to huge cheers from the community which has suffered back-to-back wrecked harvests.

The royals, who announced this week that they are expecting their first child next year, were in the area to talk about mental health struggles faced by farmers in remote areas.

Prince Harry said: “We know that suicide rates in rural and remote areas are greater than in urban populations and this may be especially 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 support and understanding.”

On a visit to a Mountain View farm, Meghan, 37, impressed the family by bringing a banana cake she had baked the night before in Sydney.

And she was smitten with the newest family member, 13-month-old Ruby Carroll.

After making a fuss of Ruby, the Duchess spoke to the toddler’s mother Emily Carroll, 33, about her own pregnancy.

“They both had a little tickle with Ruby,” said Mrs Carroll.

“Ruby’s normally in bed at 10.30 but we had to stay up for this.

“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.

“She’s made for this royal business, isn’t she? They’re great with kids.”

Meanwhile, the Queen visited the Royal Air Force Club in London to mark its centenary year.

During her trip yesterday, she opened a new wing housing a fitness suite and business centre.

She also unveiled a new stained-glass window marking women’s roles in the air force over the last 100 years.

The window was created by Yorkbased artist Helen Whittaker who told the Queen that the window showed the first women working as RAF drivers in World War One.