Harry and Meghan wrapped up day one of their quasi-royal tour of Australia with an intimate gathering at a summit in Melbourne.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined guests including local radio star Michael Wipfli and his wife Lisa, an influencer – who are helming calls to ban social media for under 16s – at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit.
Meghan, 44, enjoyed her third outfit change of the day, swapping from khaki casuals into black trousers and a matching off-the shoulder top, accentuated with a gold-buckled belt.
Meanwhile, her husband twinned with his wife once again in a monochrome shirt and jeans.
The evening facilitated discussions on mental health, with the crowd hearing from both the Duke and Duchess, who have been passionate advocates of online safety.
The appearance comes amid ongoing attention around Harry and Meghan’s latest visit to Australia, which has seen the couple attend a string of charity, business and cultural events across the country.
Michael shared a gallery of photos to social media from the event, gushing: ‘It was such an honour to meet Prince Harry and Meghan. They were so kind, warm and authentic.’
The Australian DJ and his wife have been vocal supporters of the country’s new social media ban for under 16s.
Reacting to the frustration from young people, Michael said: ‘If people want to vent like that, then so be it.
‘There’s kids between the ages of 13 and 16 now that are screaming because they can’t be on it… The behaviour change will take time.
‘There’s a place for social media; it’s just not in the vulnerable minds of kids under the age of 16.’
Harry and Meghan have spoken about the dangers of online harm in the past.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex launched the Parents’ Network in August 2024 in association with their Archewell Foundation charity.
It aims to support parents who have lost their children to suicide because of online harm, and the couple have been vocal about the dangers that social media poses.
However, reports from earlier this year suggest that the Parents’ Network has now effectively been transferred from the Archewell Foundation, now known as Archewell Philanthropies, to ParentsTogether.
The non-profit organisation also provides resources to parents worried about the impact of the digital world on youngsters.
The couple announced the ‘strategic partnership’ between the Parents’ Network and ParentsTogether in October at an event in New York to mark World Mental Health Day.
‘Expanding the parents’ movement and supporting them throughout is how real change happens,’ the Duke of Sussex said at the time.
‘That’s why we are so proud to announce tonight that The Parents’ Network is joining forces with ParentsTogether.’
Archewell is said to have given ParentsTogether the full operational capacity of the initiative as well as a cash grant to cover the first year of core operations.
‘This follows our established model where we incubate initiatives before transitioning them to independent, sustainable organisations – much like Invictus, Travalyst and others,’ an Archewell source said.
‘ParentsTogether has built trusted relationships with many of these families over years, and their expertise makes them the ideal permanent home for The Parents Network.
‘We couldn’t be more excited to see these families supported and amplified in such capable hands.’
After the initial launch, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex provided a rare TV interview with an American broadcaster.
They said they want to ‘be a part of change for good’ when it comes to the ‘online space’.
‘All you want to do as parents is protect them,’ Ms Markle told CBS.
‘And so, as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there, and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good.’
Elsewhere on the first day of their quasi-royal tour, the Duchess of Sussex paid homage to Australian fashion with two elegant ensembles from the country’s designers.
Meghan channelled sophisticated ‘First Lady’ style in a navy ‘Priscilla Dress’ from Sydney-based label Karen Gee costing £923 as she and her husband arrived at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne today.
The gown fanned out into an A-line skirt, with golden buttons adding a touch of luxury.
The rest of her look was simple, with black heels and her hair pulled back into a ponytail.
Later in the day she swapped her monochrome look for more laid-back earthy tones as she wore a khaki shirt and jacket, costing £675 and £760 respectively, from Australian designer St Agni for the couple’s visit to the National Veterans Arts Museum.
The duchess also added a £175 knitted taupe turtleneck from P. Johnson and white stilettos from her beloved Aquazzura, which were a perfect match for Harry’s military green button-up.
The Sussexes said they were delighted to be Down Under as they landed earlier in the day following a business class Qantas flight from Los Angeles – but Lilibet and Archie have stayed at home.
A large crowd gathered at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne for Harry and Meghan’s first official event of the day. Although one parent there admitted: ‘I didn’t even know they were coming, so I would wonder why they are actually here.’
A group of about 70 staff, parents and young patients waited in the hospital foyer for the couple, who excitedly met the crowd and before visiting the Adolescent Oncology and Rehabilitation ward and taking part in a garden therapy session.
In a series of royal-style events, Meghan then went on a solo visit to a nearby homeless and domestic violence shelter where she served food to residents.
The Sussexes then went to the National Veterans Arts Museum together. When asked if they had a message for the Australian public, Harry said it was ‘great’ to be there, adding: ‘Thanks for having us back.’
Their last visit to Australia was an official royal tour just after their 2018 wedding.
The couple insist their 2026 trip is ‘privately-funded’ but there is some disquiet because Australian taxpayers are due to foot the bill for some police security. Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition demanding the Sussexes cover all the costs themselves.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said: ‘Victoria Police are there to provide security and safety for Victorians. So any suggestion that officers are going to be pulled off duty to provide security and protection for Harry and Meghan’s visit is absolutely unacceptable.’
Libertarian MP David Limbrick said: ‘If people want to spend thousands of dollars on former royals, that’s fine. But Victorian taxpayers should not be on the hook to provide the security of millionaires.’
The four-day trip will also see the Sussexes attend an Invictus Australia event in Sydney before Meghan stars at the ‘Her Best Life’ retreat at nearby Coogee Beach.
Tickets for the weekend cost up to $3,199 AUD (£1,400) and include the chance to have a photo with the duchess and ask her questions at a gala dinner in a five-star hotel. Meghan’s fee has been described as a ‘fat one’, and is apparently in the region of $250,000.
The couple’s itinerary will also include charity and business events in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.
There will apparently be no walkabouts to meet the public.
It is not known how much Harry and Meghan are being paid for their commercial events. But as they landed in the city, Melbourne local Andrew Bridge said today that the couple’s trip Down Under was clearly about ‘self-promotion’.
After arriving in Australia, the couple spoke to children and posed for photographs outside the city’s Royal Children’s Hospital – to the surprise of some locals.
One parent, Pina Roberts, told the Daily Mail: ‘I just came here and was like, “What is going on?” Anything that acknowledges us (patients and parents at the hospital) is good thing.
‘But I didn’t even know they were coming, so I would wonder why they are actually here.’
Four-year-old patient Lily held up a hand-drawn sign that said: ‘Welcome Harry and Meghan.’ She presented a flower to the duchess as they arrived.
The duchess hugged Lily after being presented with the gifts and told her: ‘Oh my gosh, this is so sweet. I love it.’
After being shown Lily’s sign, Harry said: ‘Nice to meet you, Lily. That’s beautiful. How long did it take?’
The Sussexes took part in a garden therapy session with patients at the hospital, smelling plants and flowers.
Asked if he would like to take some gumtree home, Harry, wearing a navy jacket, white shirt and metal bracelets, joked: ‘I would, but I think I’d probably get arrested at some point.’
Meghan asked the patients: ‘Do you find that different stories and memories come out that you weren’t expecting?’
The couple visited wards at the hospital and met patients with eating disorders.
Following the Royal Children’s Hospital visit, the couple visited a women’s refuge in Melbourne.
Meghan donned an apron and served frittata at the centre, run by McAuley Community Services for Women, which supports women and children experiencing family violence, homelessness and related challenges.
After serving several women, the duchess asked: ‘Is anyone else hungry?’
Meghan then sat down at a table and joined those eating, telling them: ‘We landed here this morning so my jet lag hasn’t quite hit yet.’
The centre provides round-the-clock crisis accommodation, refuge services and longer-term housing, alongside programmes focused on recovery, wellbeing and independence.
While greeting crowds at the hospital, the duke hugged Christina Parkes, who works as an academic at the University of Melbourne.
Ms Parkes, whose 13-year-old daughter Adelaide is a patient at the hospital, said it ‘means an enormous amount’ to have the couple visit Australia.
Speaking before Harry and Meghan arrived, Ms Parkes said: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to see the couple. Harry’s grandmother actually opened the hospital originally, and her portrait and his grandfather’s portrait are in the hallway.’
Asked what she would say to the couple, she said: ‘Welcome to Australia, we hope they enjoy their time here.
‘Thank you for taking the time to visit the hospital and see the work that the doctors and nurses are doing.
‘I cannot overstate how important the work is that they do here at the children’s hospital because my daughter wouldn’t be here without them.’
