Prince Harry and Meghan Markle greet onlookers at children’s hospital on day one of Australia tour

The couple stopped by the Melbourne Royal Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, where they visited patients and their families around midday.  

The Duchess looked stylish in Australian brand Karen Gee’s Priscilla navy dress with gold buttons on the bodice, and wore her brunette tresses pulled back into a sleek ponytail.

Her husband looked dapper in a navy suit with a white collared shirt, and chose to forgo a tie for the occasion. 

Meghan and Harry chatted with onlookers in the hospital’s main foyer and took photos with them, before leaving to meet other patients in the vicinity.

The Prince took a moment to shake the hand of a young boy, and asked him to “Give us a big smile!” in a sweet moment between the two.  

A four-year-old patient named Lily held a sign that read: “Welcome Harry and Meghan”, which drew the attention of the royals. “Oh my gosh, this is so sweet. I love it,” the Duchess said, while her husband added: “Nice to meet you, Lily. That’s beautiful. How long did it take?”

Queen Elizabeth II opened the hospital back in 1963, and returned to Melbourne in 2011 to open the new building. Harry’s parents, King Charles and Princess Diana, also stopped by the hospital in 1985 during their royal tour of Australia.

In a statement, the Office of Harry and Meghan said: “Across all engagements, the visit will highlight the duke and duchess’s continued commitment to supporting mental health, strengthening support for the armed forces community, and championing the power of connection and shared experience to drive positive change.”

Following their hospital visit, Meghan will travel to a women’s homeless shelter to meet survivors of family violence. 

The duo will complete day one of their Australian visit with a trip to the Australian National Veterans’ Art Museum to meet with veterans and their families.

Meghan and Harry’s trip marks their first time in Australia in eight years.

Just before their previous trip in 2018, the couple announced they were expecting a baby boy, Prince Archie, much to the delight of royal supporters worldwide.