Crowd turns out to welcome duke and duchess, who are combining public visits to worthy causes with private money-making appearances
When Prince Harry and Meghan walked through the doors of Melbourne’s Royal children’s hospital just after midday on Tuesday, a hush came over the crowd of staff and patients gathered to greet them. It was followed by a soft, collective “hiii” – as though the crowd felt that speaking too loudly might scare the duke and duchess away.
The couple walked in almost without ceremony on this first stop on their four-day Australian tour, greeting hospital management in the foyer before making their way around the arc of people gathered to see them, paying particular attention to children.
Above them, the upper-floor walkway bridges that hang suspended above the foyer were packed with people, craning to see, as the couple shook hands with well-wishers and took time to speak to medical workers and patients, offering hugs and waves to others in the crowd.
The duke and duchess will visit multiple cities during this trip, their first Australian tour in eight years – and their first since stepping back from royal duties.
