Harry & Meghan: Tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand - October 2018

[jacqui24]

Given what’s been reported so far, I definitely think it’s a good trade off. She missed one engagement today, and still will carry out three. Tomorrow is the day that’s most effected. There are conflicting reports about if she’ll do one or none at all. I guess we’ll see. Although my suspicion is that she’ll still try to do something as she’s still going to Fraser Island. Just not going to announce it for now. At max, there is 5 out of 70 some odd engagements. I’ve been worried about her in the back of my mind ever since the announcement. It’s not just amount of engagements, but the amount of travel as well. I nearly went into a panic worrying when the initial inaccurate reports came out about her not going to scheduled engagements with PM and Opposition leader.

[Zaira]

Beginning at 2;02, a massive bear hug for Harry!

https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/...497026/video/1

[Sun Lion]

Originally Posted by hel

I think the delayed opening ceremonies took a toll, TBH.

She's still planned to go to the lunch and the sailing.

It looks like she'll fly with him to Fraser Island (perhaps because I've seen their flight to Fiji is from Fraser Island), but he'll be doing those engagements by himself.

Thanks for replying hel. I decided to run out of the house and join in the fun for real and have only just seen your later post.

The day turned out so fine after this morning, that I've come home with a sunburnt arm.

And yes HereditaryPrincess - I did see the couple. At a distance. In the restaurant, which conveniently is all glass, plus the doors were open.

Mostly Harry and a few glimpses of Meghan. (Hard to miss Harry, so tall.)

I also saw some of the action on the Harbour for the sailing. A lot of crazy boats going all over the place. (I'm talking about the VIP vessels and special spectators, not the competitors who seemed quite steady in their course.) What a lot of water was churned.

Some well known Oz faces got to go to the lunch. (None world famous, but Oz posters will know them.)

Jessica Rowe. She plonked herself down on a wall a few steps from the restaurant entrance and took off her shoes!

On went the flatties, someone took a photo, but no-one else seemed to notice her and eventually she wandered away.

Then former Governor General Quentin Bryce - who was sitting behind Harry and Meghan last night and who got caught with some very un-flattering facial expressions in the photos I saw this morning.

Anyway, a very trim and stylish older lady, she was dressed in a very understated, but classic blazer with a good sensible bag style outfit.

No-seemed to recognise her and so eventually she too wandered away.

Then there was the Prime Minister, under a baseball cap with just one very tall bodyguard beside him.

Big smiles, obviously at ease, no one noticed him either, but he didn't seem to mind. He wandered off in the other direction.

Here are a few shots from today - (not by me!)

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2...0089261294.jpg

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2...0089678332.jpg

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2...0089659606.jpg

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2...0097892262.jpg

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2...0097935510.jpg


Disappointed Meghan is having a tough time and may miss this and that.

They'll have to arrange a second tour when baby is big enough and have another go.

[Axeyman]

Originally Posted by Sun Lion

Thanks for replying hel. I decided to run out of the house and join in the fun for real and have only just seen your later post.

The day turned out so fine after this morning, that I've come home with a sunburnt arm.

And yes HereditaryPrincess - I did see the couple. At a distance. In the restaurant, which conveniently is all glass, plus the doors were open.

Mostly Harry and a few glimpses of Meghan. (Hard to miss Harry, so tall.)

I also saw some of the action on the Harbour for the sailing. A lot of crazy boats going all over the place. (I'm talking about the VIP vessels and special spectators, not the competitors who seemed quite steady in their course.) What a lot of water was churned.

Some well known Oz faces got to go to the lunch. (None world famous, but Oz posters will know them.)

Jessica Rowe. She plonked herself down on a wall a few steps from the restaurant entrance and took off her shoes!

On went the flatties, someone took a photo, but no-one else seemed to notice her and eventually she wandered away.

Then former Governor General Quentin Bryce - who was sitting behind Harry and Meghan last night and who got caught with some very un-flattering facial expressions in the photos I saw this morning.

Anyway, a very trim and stylish older lady, she was dressed in a very understated, but classic blazer with a good sensible bag style outfit.

No-seemed to recognise her and so eventually she too wandered away.

Then there was the Prime Minister, under a baseball cap with just one very tall bodyguard beside him.

Big smiles, obviously at ease, no one noticed him either, but he didn't seem to mind. He wandered off in the other direction.

Here are a few shots from today - (not by me!)

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2...0089261294.jpg

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2...0089678332.jpg

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2...0089659606.jpg

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2...0097892262.jpg

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2...0097935510.jpg


Disappointed Meghan is having a tough time and may miss this and that.

They'll have to arrange a second tour when baby is big enough and have another go.

Sun Lion,

Megsie indicated on Friday that once baby Sussex is born, she would love to come back to Aus, and have a holiday intertwined with some royal duties.

[Lumutqueen]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...nt-Sydney.html

Pictures in this article from tonights private evening event for the IG Foundation.

[AlowVera]

Originally Posted by Countessmeout

Good choice to have Meghan to sit out some. Exhausting pace tour even without being pregnant. 16 days without a single rest day was a lot. By reducing the events she attends she can still be on the full tour and attend key events. And still stay healthy for the baby.

This is why they announced the pregnancy, so they can work in some downtime for Meghan if needed. The pace of this tour is grueling! It was reported that Prince Harry called the time out while I'm sure Meghan is used to powering through. I'm glad they are looking out for her.

Originally Posted by Ista

Yes, pregnant or not, I think that was an error in planning.

Unfortunately the UK media treats rest days as vacation days and paints the tour as a vacation. For example the press falsely accused the Sussex's of taking time off and going to some luxury resort when in fact they where just going to another country for their tour. The UK media makes it hard for them to just take a rest day. I think they should of just taken it.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by AlowVera

Unfortunately the UK media treats rest days as vacation days and paints the tour as a vacation. For example the press falsely accused the Sussex's of taking time off and going to some luxury resort when in fact they where just going to another country for their tour. The UK media makes it hard for them to just take a rest day. I think they should of just taken it.

Unfortunately, it’s not just media. Some of the royal reporters had to defend Meghan for the cancelled event yesterday bc according to some. Some people are seriously saying how hard can it be.

[wartenberg7]

Originally Posted by Curryong

https://www.9news.com.au/2018/10/21/...-coverage-2018

Why is there Williams cypher, a "W" topped with a ducal coronet, on top of the announcement sheet that Meghan has to scale down some of her engagements...?!

[Ista]

Originally Posted by AlowVera

Unfortunately the UK media treats rest days as vacation days and paints the tour as a vacation. For example the press falsely accused the Sussex's of taking time off and going to some luxury resort when in fact they where just going to another country for their tour. The UK media makes it hard for them to just take a rest day. I think they should of just taken it.

The tabloid press did that to the Cambridges and the Prince of Wales and DoC, too. It's not unique to the Sussexes, and the royal family for the most part ignore it and just move along, taking rest days as needed.

Most reasonable people accept that the royals are not equipped with batteries that never run down and will need time to rest.

[Frelinghighness]

How hard can it be? Can you imagine being surrounded by crowds? Also, I attended the Invictus games in Orlando and many of the participants are severely disabled. It is uplifting but also emotionally draining. Also, aren't they expected to attend church?

[Terri Terri]

Some photos of the private reception here!
https://madaboutmeghan.blogspot.com

[AlowVera]

Originally Posted by Frelinghighness

How hard can it be? Can you imagine being surrounded by crowds? Also, I attended the Invictus games in Orlando and many of the participants are severely disabled. It is uplifting but also emotionally draining. Also, aren't they expected to attend church?

I know that I would be awful in front of the large crowds H&M are attracting. Add the crowds, the names of people you have to remember, the protocol during official events and the constant scrutiny of every microsecond...this is NOT my idea of a vacation. It is diplomacy and it takes a certain aptitude and skill set to be good at it. Its not just meeting people and smiling.

[JuliannaVictoria]

Originally Posted by Terri Terri

Some photos of the private reception here!
https://madaboutmeghan.blogspot.com

Wow...baby is growing well. It looks like she popped out some more in the last few days.

[AlowVera]

Originally Posted by Ista

The tabloid press did that to the Cambridges and the Prince of Wales and DoC, too. It's not unique to the Sussexes, and the royal family for the most part ignore it and just move along, taking rest days as needed.

Most reasonable people accept that the royals are not equipped with batteries that never run down and will need time to rest.

Yes I remember how they talked about their rest days. I think it might have affected the Sussex's decision not to take a rest day. I think they should of taken at least two days in spite of the lies from the press.


In addition to mental health, I think self care is a part of mental health. Sometimes you need to take a short break.

[jacqui24]

Originally Posted by AlowVera

Yes I remember how they talked about their rest days. I think it might have affected the Sussex's decision not to take a rest day. I think they should of taken at least two days in spite of the lies from the press.


In addition to mental health, I think self care is a part of mental health. Sometimes you need to take a short break.

Doubt it had anything to do with the press. Charles and Camilla’s tour starts right after. They only had so many days for this tour. This also isn’t just an official tour, they are trying to fit some IG stuff in as well.

[Erin9]

Originally Posted by Frelinghighness

How hard can it be? Can you imagine being surrounded by crowds? Also, I attended the Invictus games in Orlando and many of the participants are severely disabled. It is uplifting but also emotionally draining. Also, aren't they expected to attend church?

And you have to be “on” the entire time. Mentally and physically. There’s obviously a lot of standing and walking. Which gets tiring. Talking to various people- whether it is connecting/talking with the people in crowds or talking to- and being prepared to talk to- all the people you’re officially meeting. That’s draining.

There’s so much prep we don’t see. Like speech prep. I really liked that BTS photo of Harry practicing his speech. It’s a reminder of all the work that goes into this that we don’t see. Most people have to practice speeches. They can’t wing it. I sure can’t. That’s one more thing they have to do.

Not to mention being properly and perfectly dressed for every occasion- especially for women- clothes, hair, make up, jewelry. Even with help- it’s a lot of work.

It all sounds exhausting to me.

Honestly most of my vacations are draining. Especially if I’m going to Europe. I’m usually running around trying to cram it all in. Involves a ton of walking, standing and focusing on what I’m doing, not to mention traveling from one city/country to the next. In short- fun, yet exhausting. And I’m not trying to be dressed perfectly at all times, be “on” with every person I see, and be ready to talk constructively on a variety of topics. And I’m not standing in heels either. Or getting followed around by the press and crowds of people. Lol

So- just in comparing my vacation to royal tours, I’m sure everyone is quite tired who is on this.

[jacqui24]

Even the royal correspondents are saying how tired they are. Emily flatout said first 4 days felt like 4 weeks. I’m sure they have work to do after events, but they are also not going to every event and have to show up with makeup and hair all done.

[Dman]

I’ve noticed that the royal media and some royal watchers online aren’t that empathetic to pregnant royal women. They expect them to carry a child and build a house at the same time.

I love the fact that Meghan is slowing down just a bit to get some rest on this constant on the move royal tour.

[Erin9]

Originally Posted by jacqui24

Even the royal correspondents are saying how tired they are. Emily flatout said first 4 days felt like 4 weeks. I’m sure they have work to do after events, but they are also not going to every event and have to show up with makeup and hair all done.

I feel like that says it all. They’re tired too. And they don’t have to interact with all the people or be perfectly put together.

I’m sure they have plenty of before and after events work too.

[Fros]

Has anyone found any pictures or confirmation that Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark is at the Invictus Games with the couple?

I've seen it reported in a few articles that Crown Prince Fredrick joined the couple to see the sailing competition but I have yet to see video or photos of him there.