Meghan and Harry touched down at Sydney Airport just after 7am but they are expected to have a quiet day on Monday before the start of their 16-day tour.
It was revealed in the beginning that Meghan and Harry had arrived on a British Airways flight about 6am but surprised everyone by arriving on a Qantas plane about 7am. Qantas declined to comment on the arrival, but sources said Harry and Meghan were in good spirits during the journey and were “excited about coming to Australia”. After landing at the airport, a casually dressed Harry and Meghan walked out a back entrance at the airport to their waiting motorcade about 7.40am, holding hands and looking happy and fresh despite their long flight.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was “so exciting” to welcome Harry and Meghan to Australia. “I have to say it’s really, really a full packed visit, they will be doing so much here, there are also a few surprises which I think everybody will love. But it’s really a visit with the people.”
An arrival video
The police cleared the roads during the time of their arrival, as Meghan and Harry was whisked to Admiralty House in Kirribilli in a white Holden sedan. Large crowds gathered outside the Governor-General’s home in the hopes of glimpsing them. Their motorcade arrived just after 8am.
While staying in Australia and New Zealand, Harry and Meghan will be accompanied by their private secretary Samantha Cohen, deputy private secretary Amy Pickerel, an orderly, a Kensington Palace assistant, a hairdresser, a personal photographer, three communications officers, and a program coordinator. In Fiji and Tonga, they’ll have to additional staff.
Meghan and Harry will stay at Admiralty House in Kirribilli. The house was built in 1842 and often plays hosts to guests of the government, including The Queen and other heads of state. The house has a historic waterside location opposite the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sure Meghan and Harry will enjoy their stay there.
Meghan and Harry were warmly welcomed upon arrival
- The first day of the tour will begin in Sydney at Admiralty House, where they will meet General Sir Peter John Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove..
- From there, they will visit Taronga Zoo with the New South Wales Premier. There, they will meet two koalas and their joeys that are part of the Zoo’s breeding program. While at the zoo the pair will also visit the laboratory where female conservation scientists are working to reduce illegal wildlife trafficking.
- Next, they will board a boat and get a real Sydney experience, travelling across Sydney Harbour to the Opera House. There, they will view a rehearsal of Spirit 2018 by the Bangarra Dance Theatre – an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander modern dance company. They will exit the Opera House and meet members of the public.
- The day will end with a reception back at Admiralty House with the Governor general.