Harry & Meghan’s Melbourne Visit: A Meaningful Stop with a Touch of Diana’s Legacy (UPDATED 4/14)

*Scroll for updates 4/14

Welcome to day one of the Sussex’s visit to Australia. On Tuesday, Harry and Meghan began the day visiting the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia.

The Duke and Duchess spent time with young patients and their families, bringing a little light into what can be incredibly difficult days.

Children with their parents wait for the arrival of Harry and Meghan.

Embed from Getty Images

Meghan, as always, had that effortless warmth—kneeling down to chat with children, fully present in the moment. Harry, right beside her, was clearly in his element, connecting in that easy, genuine way that’s become his trademark.

Embed from Getty Images

The hospital holds a special connection to Princess Diana, who visited the very same institution years ago. And if you’ve followed Harry for even five minutes, you know how much he carries his mother’s legacy with him, especially in moments like this.

Princess Diana visits a children’s hospital in Melbourne, Australia, October 1985.

Embed from Getty Images

Diana had a way of making people feel seen—particularly children facing serious health challenges. She didn’t just show up; she connected. And watching Harry and Meghan in Melbourne, that same spirit was unmistakable.

Harry takes a selfie with a group of patients.

Embed from Getty Images

For 17-year-old Scarlett McGowan (below), it marked her second royal encounter—having previously met Queen Elizabeth II years earlier.

More from Scarlet on her encounter via ABC News Australia —

It was fun, Harry was very easy to chat to,” Scarlett said.
“He asked me how my care was and I had to point out how beautiful and how lovely our nurses are, they take such good care of us.”

She said it was a surreal morning, having only found out about the visit today.

“I was woken up and told I was going downstairs to meet Harry and Megan and I thought: ‘I think you’re joking, but OK’,” she said.

“I don’t get off the ward very much so it was very nice to come down and be human for a little bit.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ABC Melbourne (@abcinmelbourne)

More from ABC News —

Young patient Novalie Morris admitted she didn’t know much about the pair before today, but had a wonderful time, even snagging a hug.

“Meghan wished me to keep on being brave, and I gave Harry some flowers, so I was just grateful for the opportunity to meet them,” she said.

Lily Batchelder (below with Meghan) said she felt very excited today to meet royalty, and made them a sign to welcome them.

Embed from Getty Images

See the video clip below of Harry and Meghan talking with patients.

The couple then continued through other wards and areas of the hospital, spending time with patients at their bedsides and sitting in on a therapy session with a group of teenage patients.

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

This afternoon, Meghan will undertake a solo visit to a women’s shelter in the city. I will cover this in my next post.

In the evening, the couple will meet with veteran families at Australian National Veterans’ Art Museum.

Now my look at what Meghan wore for their first engagement today.

Meghan is wearing a dress from Sydney-based designer Karen Gee – the Priscilla style in navy, $1250.

She wore Karen Gee in 2018 for the couple’s arrival in Sydney.

According to Gee, Meghan has a number of pieces from her collection. Perhaps we will see her wear more from the designer during this trip.

Meghan’s shoes are her Dior  ‘Dioressence’ Pumps in Black Leather, retail £550 (past season).

She wore the shoes several times in 2023 for the Invictus Games.

Meghan wore earrings from Real Fine Studio – Puffy Hearts in yellow gold, $780.

UPDATE 4/14: Here is a less expensive version to get the look —

Jennifer Fisher Small Puffy Heart Earrings, $150 / Etsy Puffy Heart Earrings Gold, $20

Meghan kept the rest of her jewelry simple wearing just her Welsh gold wedding band, her Cartier ‘Love’ bracelet and Diana’s Cartier watch.

Below is the rest of the schedule for the week.

Pleases keep in mind that Melbourne and Sydney are 14 hours ahead of New York, EDT time zone.

Wednesday, April 15 Melbourne and Canberra:
The day is scheduled for Harry only. We may or may not see Meghan with him.
In the morning, Harry will visit with Movember at the Western Bulldogs HQ, and then he will head to Canberra to visit The Australian War Memorial, visit with Indigenous Veterans, and attend a reception for Invictus Australia and attend the Last Post Ceremony.

Thursday, April 16 Melbourne:
To start their day, the Sussexes will participate in the Scar Tree Walk, led by the Koorie Heritage Trust. They will then appear at an event with batyr, an Australian mental health organization, at Swinburne University.
In the evening, they will attend the InterEdge Summit.

Friday, April 17 Sydney:
Harry and Meghan will join Invictus Australia sailing around Sydney Harbor, and then attend the NSW Waratahs versus Moana Pasifika rugby match in the evening.

Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19 Sydney:
Meghan will participate in a “girls’ weekend like no other” with the Her Best Life podcast community in Sydney.

The next few days will be very late nights for me as I work to provide coverage of Harry and Meghan’s engagements and all of the fashion. Please be patient as I work to identify pieces she wears.