It’s been announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will spend six days in Australia during their October visit, planned to coincide with the 2018 Invictus Games.
The trip, which marks the newlyweds’ first international tour, will see them visiting Sydney, Melbourne, Fraser Island and Dubbo. They will take a side-trip to Fiji and Tonga and then return to Sydney briefly, before visiting New Zealand for four days.
The couple are set to arrive in Sydney on October 16, four days before the prince leads the opening ceremony of his passion project. On their second day, the duke and duchess will visit Dubbo. Mayor Ben Shields confirms the city council ‘begged’ to be included on the couple’s itinerary and hopes their visit will boost the drought-ravaged area’s morale.
Although the couple won’t spend the night in the NSW town, it’s likely they’ll meet affected local farmers and visit the famous Western Plains Taronga Zoo.
The royal couple will then travel on to Melbourne, which William and Kate were accused of ‘snubbing’ during their 2014 Australian tour.
Prince Charles and Camilla also missed Melbourne on their 2015 Australia visit and in 2011, the Queen only touched down in the city for four hours to open the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Because of Prince Harry’s role as a youth ambassador, it’s likely they will meet community groups who work with young people. But there will be plenty of opportunities for the public to see Meghan and Harry up close.
A potential royal spotting opportunity is the Games themselves. The couple will be in Sydney for the opening and first two days of the sporting event for both serving and veteran wounded, injured and ill servicemen and women.
In Sydney, they may choose to stay in the $7000 a night Royal Suite at the Shangri-La, where Harry based himself during his two-day Invictus promotional visit in June 2017.
The $40 million waterside Point Piper mansion, Villa Del Mare, is reportedly another option. On Monday October 22, they are scheduled to visit the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project on Fraser Island, which aims to restore the world’s forests.
Harry and Meghan might stay in one of the island’s eco lodges. Alternatively they could stay with Meghan’s former Suits co-star, Gabriel Macht and his wife Jacinda Barrett at their nearby Noosa home. A friend told UK newspaper The Mirror that their home would be a great option.
“It’s an incredible place and will be perfect for them to chill out before they go on what is likely to be a fairly non-stop tour,” said the source.
Harry and Meghan will follow the below schedule:
Tuesday October 16: Sydney, Australia
Wednesday October 17: Dubbo, Australia
Thursday October 18: Melbourne, Australia
Friday October 19: Sydney, Australia
Saturday October 20: Sydney, Australia
Sunday October 21: Sydney, Australia
Monday October 22: Fraser Island, Australia
Tuesday October 23: Suva, Fiji
Wednesday October 24: Suva, Fiji
Thursday October 25: Nadi, Fiji and Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Friday October 26: Nuku’alofa, Tonga and Sydney, Australia
Saturday October 27: Sydney, Australia
Sunday October 28: Wellington, New Zealand
Monday October 29: Wellington and Abel Tasman, New Zealand
Tuesday October 30: Auckland, New Zealand
Wednesday October 31: Rotorua, New Zealand
For the full story see this weeks issue of New Idea, on sale now!
Related: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Dubbo ‘must do’s’
Related: Exclusive: Meghan is PREGNANT
