Australians give royal pair a bangin’ welcome
– British royals Prince Harry and his wife Meghan kicked off their shoes and donned tropical garlands yesterday as they hit Sydney’s famed Bondi beach for the latest stop on their Australian tour.
Meghan put on a summer dress and set aside her high heels, while Harry ditched his usual suit for chinos and they lapped up cheers from Australian fans and enjoyed Bondi’s surf.
They met local surfers and sat down on the sand for a long chat with leaders of the OneWave group, which focuses on helping people improve mental health by getting outdoors.
Signs screaming “G’day Harry and Meghan” greeted the royal couple, who have received a warm welcome from fans throughout the start of their Pacific tour.
“You hear people who met the queen when she came here [in 1954],” said 26-year-old Christopher Cundle, “and they are still talking about it now. I can easily see that this is one of the things I will be talking to my grandkids and future generations about. ”
Half of Australians oppose having British monarchs as head of state and the vast majority of citizens carried on with business as usual during the visit, but there has been sizeable support for the couple at every stop. News that the duchess is pregnant has swelled the crowds.
Amid a torrent of fawning press coverage declaring Meghan the “Queen of hugs” and the prince receiving “buckets of love”, the Australian Republican Movement put on a brave face.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very welcome visitors” the group said, adding that “Australians know the difference between this wonderful event and the questions of our nation’s identity and future.”
In a 1999 referendum, 55% of Australians voted against replacing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, but polls indicate support for republicanism has since grown.
The opposition Labor party has promised a plebiscite on the issue if it wins a general election expected next year. –