Prince Harry and Meghan Begin Australia Visit at Hospital Diana Visited

JAKARTA - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle began their visit to Australia by visiting the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne on April 14 local time. This first stop attracted attention because the same hospital was visited by Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1985.

Launching a report from People, Tuesday, April 14, Harry and Meghan arrived at the hospital shortly after landing in Melbourne. They were greeted by hundreds of patients, patient families, and hospital staff who crowded the downstairs area, balconies, and office windows.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex then greeted the patient's family, took selfies, and talked to children, including wheelchair users. When asked what he was most looking forward to on this visit, Harry replied briefly, "Everything."

Royal Children's Hospital Board Chair Professor Christine Kilpatrick said the visit brought a sense of hope to patients and their families. "That sense of encouragement is immeasurable, but it is very real," she told People.

One of the patients who met Harry and Meghan, Novalie Morris, 12, said he had given Harry flowers. According to Morris, Harry thanked him and asked him to "stay brave."

Among the greeters was Millie, a six-week-old baby who came to the hospital for an examination after being allowed to go home three days earlier. Her mother, Zoe, called the meeting a special moment for her family after going through a difficult few weeks.

The Royal Children's Hospital is not a foreign place for Harry's family. In October 1985, Charles and Diana visited the hospital during their 13-day tour of Australia. At that time, the two came in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the state of Victoria.

Photos from the visit showed Diana at the side of a child patient's bed and taking part in a demonstration of child safety in a car. Harry and Meghan's visit this time reminded the public of Diana's footsteps in the same place.

In an interview with People in 2022, Harry said he hoped everything he did would make his mother proud. He also emphasized that he respected Diana in everything he did.

This visit to Australia is Harry and Meghan's second working visit this year after a trip to Jordan in February. It is also their first visit to Australia since the 2018 tour.

During their stay in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney, their agenda will focus on mental health, support for veterans and their families, and community empowerment programs.

Harry and Meghan are now parents to two children, Archie and Lilibet. However, the two did not take part in this trip.