Featured Image Credit: Jonathan Brady-Pool/Getty Images
Topics: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Australia, Royal Family, UK News
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Australia, Royal Family, UK News
On the fourth day of their Australian tour, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were bestowed a rather surprising gift.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were spotted at Sydney Harbour on Friday (17 Apr) on the last day of their private charity trip Down Under.
There, the couple met with a number of Invictus Games supporters ahead of their scheduled trip around the world-famous harbour with past competitors, including an adorable four-year-old girl named Charlotte - the same age as their daughter, Lilibet.
In a series of sweet videos that have since gone viral online, Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, can be seen laughing as they danced alongside the youngster while chatting to her family, including her father, veteran Joel Vanderzwan.
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The father-daughter duo were also joined by Vanderzwan's wife, Alexandra, and his nine-month-old twin sons, coincidentally named Harrison and William.
"He's very good at twirling," the former Suits actress says to the girl, as Harry reaches out his hand to spin her around. "Great job," she adds.
The pair then turn their attention to Vanderzwan, who passed them each a set of personalised flip-flops, which Australians usually refer to as 'thongs' - not to be mistaken for the itty bitty underwear.
The footwear each bore the cheeky label 'G'day Hazza' and 'G'day Megs'.
Teasing the gift-givers, Harry joked that he's usually given 'budgie smugglers'.
Sharing footage of the interaction online, the official account for Invictus Australia joked in the caption: "Name a more iconically Aussie gift than a pair of thongs (or flip flops for the uninitiated)."
The note added: "Invictus Games The Hague 2022 alumnus Joel Vanderzwan and his family presented Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with a pair of personalised thongs before they set off sailing around Sydney Harbour with Invictus Games #TeamAus alumni and families."
The couple were subsequently praised for their natural reactions to Charlotte's playfulness, as well as Harry's cheeky response to his new shoes.
"I love how appreciative Harry and Meghan are when they are given gifts," one X user gushed. "Yes, they are millionaires. But appreciating a personalised humble gift of flip flops is really sweet."
Another added: "Love Harry and Meghan, so pleased to see the warm welcome of Australians."
"So sweet, and the girl will never forget this experience," a third went on.