Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Pay Subtle Tribute to Queen Elizabeth in Australia
Meghan and Harry interacted warmly with patients, families, and other staff at the hospital.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have officially begun their much-anticipated Australia tour, marking their first visit to the country since 2018. Their overall itinerary for this tour includes an exciting mix of charitable engagements as well as several private events and meetings, signaling a new chapter for the Sussexes. On Tuesday, April 14th, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Melbourne, where they had several engagements lined up. Amid this, they delivered a quiet yet heartfelt tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II by visiting a place that she inaugurated.
Shortly after their arrival, the royal couple visited the Royal Children's Hospital, receiving a warm and enthusiastic welcome as patients, families, and hospital staff gathered in large numbers. As reported by People Magazine, the hospital has spent more than 150 years caring for young patients, even from neighboring regions and even abroad. It's worth noting that Queen Elizabeth was the one who opened this hospital in 1963 and later returned to the city in 2011 to officially inaugurate its new building.
One woman, Christina Parkes, who was present at the venue, shared just how much Meghan and Harry's visit meant to her and her little daughter, who is also being treated there. She said, "I'm absolutely thrilled to see the couple. Harry's grandmother actually opened the hospital originally, and her portrait and his grandfather's portrait are in the hallway." As reported by HELLO Magazine, she added, "I cannot overstate how important the work is that they do here at the children's hospital because my daughter wouldn't be here without them."
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Peter Steer, also praised the couple and said, "It was clear that both the Duke and Duchess bring a sincere care for, and long-standing commitment to, the mental health and wellbeing of young people." He added, "It was a genuinely meaningful visit for our staff and for the young people receiving care." Before this royal visit to the children's hospital, Harry's parents, King Charles and Princess Diana, also stopped there during their 1985 Australia tour.
Images from that day feature the ‘People’s Princess’ gently spending time at a young patient’s bedside, as well as carefully securing a little girl into a car seat during a safety demonstration, highlighting her well-known compassion. Charles and Diana visited the country to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the state of Victoria. Meanwhile, on their first day of the tour, Meghan and Harry also met with veteran families at the Australian National Veterans’ Art Museum, effortlessly engaging with the crowd, appearing at ease and comfortable—much like their 2018 visit. Their itinerary further includes a women's wellness retreat in Sydney and a mental health summit in Melbourne.
