Harry and Meghan visit children's hospital, family violence survivors, veteran families for first day on Aussie tour
The Duke of Sussex has thanked Australia for welcoming him and wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, back to Australia, after a day of engagements in Melbourne.
On their way to meet with veterans' families this afternoon in the CBD, Prince Harry told 9News it was "wonderful" to return to Australia.
"It's great to be back," he said.
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On their way to meet with veterans' families this afternoon in the CBD, Prince Harry told 9News it was "wonderful" to return to Australia. Nine
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, meet patients and their family members during a visit to the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Australia Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Jonathan Brady/Pool Photo via AP) AP
"Thanks for having us back," Harry told 9News when asked if he had a message for the Australian public.
The couple was quickly whisked inside the venue, where attended the final event of the first day of their Australian tour.
The Sussexes flew to Australia in business class with their own security on a commercial Qantas flight from Los Angeles.
They touched down in Melbourne early this morning.
"They were super friendly around the toilet areas," a passenger said.
Scores of young patients and their families filled every floor of the Royal Children's Hospital this morning ahead of the couple's first stop of the tour.
They arrived at the Parkville hospital in a black Range Rover with tinted windows at 12pm, where they walked through the revolving doors to greet waiting fans.
The former royals embraced young oncology patients and chatted with their families in the foyer for about 10 minutes.
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visit the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Australia Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (Jonathan Brady/Pool Photo via AP) AP
They were then ushered to a private part of the hospital to see doctors and adolescent patients battling chronic conditions.
Meghan wore a navy buttoned sleeveless dress by Sydney designer Karen Gee and black stiletto heels.
"I just loved Meghan's dress, it was so pretty," four-year-old patient Lily said.
Prince Harry was dressed in a crisp white shirt with an unbuttoned navy blazer and suit pants.
The pair took selfies with patients and collected flowers as they made their way across the hospital floor.
Scarlet McGowan, who has been receiving cancer treatment for three months at the hospital, was one of few patients who managed to chat to both Harry and Meghan.
"He was lovely, he asked me how the care was and I had to point out how gorgeous and lovely our nurses are, they take such good care of us."
Children with their parents wait for the arrival of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during their visit to the Royal Children's Hospital on April 14, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images) Getty images
Lily, four, waits for the arrival of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during their visit to the Royal Children's Hospital on April 14, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images) Getty images
Scores of fans lined every floor of the hospital ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan's arrival. Nine
Other young patients shared their once-in-a-lifetime interactions with the former royals.
"I recently found out I relapsed with leukaemia for the fourth time, so this meeting today just really brightened up my day," 12-year-old Novalie Morris said.
"They both wished me good luck on my leukaemia journey and Meghan wished me to keep on being brave.
"When I saw Meghan I said 'hi, welcome to Australia, here's a flower," Eunara, 8, said.
The Royal Children's Hospital has a storied royal history.
The hospital was opened by Harry's late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II in 1963, and she returned in 2011 after it underwent major renovations.
Harry's parents, now-King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, also visited the hospital during their royal tour of Australia in 1985.
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Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Charles visit the Royal Children's Hospital in 1985. Fairfax
After about an hour-and-a-half meeting with patients and professionals, the black Range Rover the pair arrived in left the hospital grounds.
Meghan then made a solo visit to a women's homeless shelter, where she served up lunch to women who have experienced family violence.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex serves up lunch at a women's shelter in Melbourne. Nine
After a quick outfit change, the pair reunited in the city, where they were due to meet with veteran families.
Meghan and Harry are focusing on events that champion community resilience, support for the armed forces and mental health during their whirlwind visit.
The couple will be in Australia for four days.
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Harry and Meghan touched down in Melbourne on a Qantas flight. Nine/Today
It's their first visit since their 2018 royal tour, and the first since they quit the monarchy in 2020.
They're scheduled to make appearances in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney to take part in "private, business, and philanthropic engagements", the couple's spokesperson previously told nine.com.au.
Notable events include the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit in Melbourne, where Harry will be a keynote speaker on Thursday.
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Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will speak at the Her Best Life retreat in Sydney. Her Best Life
On Friday, Meghan will make a brief appearance at a women's-only retreat hosted by the Her Best Life podcast in Sydney.
The couple are no longer working members of the royal family and will not carry out any royal duties while in Australia.
There will also be no public walkabouts or meet and greet moments, which have become a staple of official royal tours.
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Harry and Meghan are unlikely to do any public meet and greets on their private tour. Phil Noble/Pool via AP
Harry and Meghan had reportedly planned to meet the public in Melbourne and Sydney but those plans were supposedly cancelled when details were leaked to the press.
Read the couple's full Australia itinerary here.
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