We kicked off coverage of this tour earlier today — well, I guess technically yesterday, and I need to note that I accidentally wrote “earlier this year,” which is accurate but perhaps dramatic! — with koalas and Ian Thorpe (which, as I understand it, is how everyone’s trip to Sydney begins? Yes? He just meets you at your hotel holding a koala?) and move on now to GIANT CROWDS and, also, a wardrobe change for Meghan, into an olive green shirtdress by Brandon Maxwell (which Moda Operandi has in red) and some beige patent heels that I imagine were gifted to her by Kate as a gesture of loving goodwill. I can just see Kate tenderly wrapping these shoes in a baby blanket and gently laying them in Meghan’s arms. “Here,” she says. “These have always brought me luck.”
This is very sweet indeed:
Harry introduced Daphne to Meghan! “What an exciting time, I’ve been so happy, Meghan told her during their @SydOperaHouse walkabout. “Hopefully next time we see you we’ll have our little with one with us.”pic.twitter.com/eiLoJqPNtD
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) October 16, 2018
Look at the crowds they got:
Video: a little @byEmilyAndrews tour of the crowds outside Sydney Harbour House with Meghan & Harry in there shaking as many hands as possible. #RoyalVisitAustralia #royalvisitaus pic.twitter.com/bh6kkAK8UG
— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) October 16, 2018
Part of Day One’s events also included a performance from Bangarra Dance company, which — per royals reporter Emily Andrews — is “Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders dance company.” They look amazing:
Video: #HarryandMegan are engrossed in the powerful performances of Bangarra Dance theatre inside Sydney Opera House. #RoyalVisitAUS pic.twitter.com/x7tMGa8MRS
— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) October 16, 2018
I’ve said this before, but while I would not love people staring at my midsection in public and/or screeching about my life choices constantly, getting to travel the world and see all this RAD STUFF would make up for a lot of it. I want to go to Sydney and meet Ian Thorpe and a koala and then get to hug sweet old ladies and watch great dancers!
After the dancing and the meeting and greeting, everyone went home and changed and had a reception tonight. God bless Omid Scobie for giving us a good look at the inside of the room:
At Admiralty House for a reception hosted by the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove in honour of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s visit. Guests are Australian’s from a broad range of sectors, including arts, sports, charity, community and entertainment. #RoyalTour pic.twitter.com/VUddkZHgrM
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) October 16, 2018
This next moment is very sweet and also I want to know more about all that china, Harry, so do shift the camera over a bit:
“We genuinely couldn’t think of a better place to announce the upcoming…err…baby,” says Prince Harry, who seems a bit taken aback by the novelty of saying it out loud #royalvisitaustralia pic.twitter.com/x9b9DtOSlh
— Hannah Furness (@Hannah_Furness) October 16, 2018
FINALLY, before I send you off to the slide show, I think you might enjoy this Town & Country piece about the logistics of royal tours. You know how I feel about logistics!!