Harry & Meghan Burst into Laughter Over Unexpected Aussie Gift That Breaks Tradition
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Sydney Harbour to meet members from Invictus Australia.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been making the most of their ongoing Australia tour, blending meaningful public engagements with relaxed, joyful moments. For instance, in the initial phase of their trip, the couple visited a children's hospital in Melbourne, gave a speech on mental health at the InterEdge Summit, and engaged in several other solo activities. Then, on Friday, April 17, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sailed across the iconic Sydney Harbour and even visited Bondi Beach. Amid this, one moment that caught everyone's attention was when the couple burst into laughter after receiving an unexpected gift.
Harry and Meghan visited Sydney Harbour to meet members from Invictus Australia and participate in a sailing activity with some Invictus Games supporters. Before stepping onto the boat, they shared a fun moment with veteran Joel Vanderzwan, who competed at the 2022 Games in The Hague. He surprised the royal couple with a unique gift, presenting them with customized flip-flops, which are locally known as thongs. It even featured cheeky phrases stating 'G’day Hazza' and 'G’day Megs.' Looking at it, Meghan immediately burst into laughter, and Harry couldn’t hide his broad, amused grin, as reported by GB News.
The Duke went on to joke that he usually gets 'budgie smugglers' from Invictus Australia instead. Since the competition in Sydney was held in October 2018, a quirky tradition began in which the Duke is gifted a pair of budgie smugglers at nearly every similar event he attends. Moving ahead, the royal couple met Joel's wife, Alexandra, and their three adorable kids, with Harry even dancing with the serviceman’s daughter, Charlotte. Speaking of the moment, Joel said, "Charlotte asked Meghan if she wanted to see her dance, and Meghan obliged, and as all good wives do, roped Harry in to be the prince that he is."
She even revealed that her husband was very good at twirling, prompting him to stand up and spin the little girl around, much to everyone’s delight. The Sussexes headed towards the water, where their boat was quickly encircled by people from the media who were eager to capture every moment. Not just this, a helicopter was also seen hovering overhead, highlighting the intense spotlight surrounding them currently. Their boat was unique, too, with a wheelchair access facility for the injured veterans who came on board.
Meanwhile, speaking of the fun experience, Michael Hartung, the chief executive of Invictus Australia, said, "Having the Duke and Duchess return to Sydney Harbour, where sailing first joined the Invictus movement, is a full-circle moment." He added, "It's a chance to show that Invictus in Australia isn't just a biannual event – it's a daily, grassroots movement. By the end of 2026, we will have supported over 30,000 veterans and their families through community-based sport."
