The duchess of hearts...
MEGHAN DOWN UNDER IN DIANA’S EARRINGS:
A PHOTO taken by Prince Harry shows the extraordinary moment wife Meghan comes face to face with her mini-me on the first day of their royal tour yesterday.
The couple were cheered by crowds throughout Sydney as news of the Duchess of Sussex’s pregnancy brought thousands out on to the streets to wish them well.
Harry, 34, spotted Sethunya Gibbons, nine, in the throng wearing a T-shirt saying “Girls can do anything” and made a beeline for her.
Calling Meghan, 37, over for the picture he pointed out the striking resemblance between the nine-year-old and her as a child.
And Meghan said: “I was literally about to say the same thing! You remind me so much of myself when I was little.” Speaking after her chat with the Duchess, Sethunya’s mum, Rachelle Gibbons, said: “Sethunya is very excited to be Meghan’s mini-me.”
Former Suits actress Meghan has been beaming ever since she and Harry revealed they are expecting a baby in the spring. And Harry said yesterday they “could not think of a better place” to announce the news than Down Under.
The couple have already been given their first
baby toys too. Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lady Cosgrove handed them a soft kangaroo and joey during a welcoming ceremony at Admiralty House, where the couple are staying in Sydney.
Meghan earlier spoke to Australian TV personality Eddie Woo, 33, and the conversation turned to parenthood. Mr Woo, who has five
kids, said they require “a lot of energy” before wife Michelle added: “But it’s so rewarding.” Unfazed, the Duchess replied: “We’re ready. We’re excited to join the club.”
Meghan also met singer-songwriter Missy Higgins, 35, who recently had her second child, daughter Luna. The star told her: “Cherish each moment because it goes by so fast. It really does.”
Meghan and Harry travel to the district of Dubbo today – 250 miles west of Sydney – to have a picnic in Victoria Park. The local community of 33,000 has been hit by one of the worst droughts in 50 years, which devastated crops and still affects them. Harry and Meghan will meet farming families and Pip Job, the New South Wales drought co-ordinator and former National Rural Woman of the Year.
During their maiden royal tour, community and women’s empowerment are key issues they will promote, along with the environment.
It is hoped their visit to Dubbo will put a renewed focus on the region.
Kensington Palace said: “Across this 16-day tour, the programme will focus on youth leadership and projects being undertaken by young people to address the social, economic, and environmental challenges of the region.
“The Duke is particularly keen to highlight these youth-led initiatives in his new role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador. The visit will also concentrate on environmental and conservation efforts.”
A senior royal source added: “The buzz around the place is electrifying wherever the Duke and Duchess go at the moment. So many people are keen to be involved in any way they can.
“The wonderful news of their baby announcement has really focused the people’s view that they are two young newlyweds, very much in love and keen to help others in the world and everyone is throwing their support right behind them.”
Harry and Meghan travel to Melbourne tomorrow before going back to Sydney on Friday, when they will officially launch the Prince’s Invictus Games on Saturday.