Meghan Markle, Prince Harry tour: Royals return to Sydney

Now, she’s revealed herself as a yoga disciplinarian who doesn’t hit the snooze button like the rest of us.

Meghan Markle, we are not worthy.

On her fourth day touring Australia with Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex said she got up at 4.30 this morning for a yoga session.

“It was so good for healing your mind,” she told the group of OneWave members at Bondi Beach during a visit.

Meghan and Harry were at the iconic Sydney location this morning to take part in a “anti bad vibes” circle with the group, which aims to raise awareness for mental health and wellbeing.

Locals couldn’t get enough of her positive attitude and sound advice on mental health.

For local mum Charlotte Connel and her two-year-old son Finn Little, this was a regular morning — just with a royal touch.

“We do this every Friday — the anti-bad vibes circle and then we go surfing or do yoga,” the One Wave member told news.com.au.

Charlotte, who is five months pregnant, said Meghan noticed her bump and asked about the pregnancy.

“She also said her way of healing is through yoga,” she said. “She said she was up at 4.30 this morning to do yoga.”

Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland is a yoga teacher in Los Angeles, and the duchess has been practising yoga regularly since she was a teenager.

Meghan also spoke about the importance of being able to let go of criticism for good mental health, noting the negative impact social media can have on how we feel about ourselves.

Jessina Oakes, who spent 15 minutes in a yoga group speaking with the royal couple, told news.com.au Meghan said “criticism and flattery all come through the same filter of social media”.

“She said, ‘We always hold on to the negative. There is always this amazing feedback, but we hold onto the criticism’,” Jessina said Meghan told the group.

“She talked a lot about growing up in terms of this generation and the pressures of social media because there is so much criticism we experience.”

The duchess said yoga helped keep her “grounded”.

“She felt connected doing yoga in the mornings,” Jessina said.

“Like Harry, she said she felt very fortunate to be able to share positive experiences with groups like OneWave.”

Other excited locals noted the pregnant princess tried to shake as many hands as possible, despite the couple being rushed along.

Bridget Slipper, 33, and Hermione Davis, 34, came down to the beach at 6am and they say it was “worth the wait” to get a quick handshake from Meghan.

“It’s all paid off,” Hermione said. “It was a long time but worth the wait to get the royal handshake.”

Meghan and Harry where swiftly ushered along the metal barricade to meet fans and didn’t have the time to stop and chat like on walkabouts earlier in the week.

“She didn’t say anything but she was so nice and tried to shake everyone’s hand,” Bridget said.

The moment was extra special for Hermione, who has also recently found out she’s expecting her first child.

“I’m due around April too, so the race is on with who will have it first,” she joked.

Everyone on social media is clearly impressed with the Duchess of Sussex.

She carries her own coat, she bakes banana bread, she holds the umbrella for her man… Meghan Markle we are not worthy #australiaroyaltour #dubbo pic.twitter.com/z6KTH6Zwt9

— Julia Naughton (@JuliaNaughton) October 17, 2018

Meghan has a daily yoga practice which she considers her “escape”. Preach queen, preach ??☯️? #RoyalTour

— Jenna Clarke (@jennamclarke) October 18, 2018

Charlotte and Finn got to meet #HarryandMeghan Meghan told her she was up doing yoga at 4.30am this morning despite the jet lag #RoyalTourAustralia my yoga mat hasn’t yet made it out of my suitcase pic.twitter.com/cbvPSN6wXi

— Rhiannon Mills (@SkyRhiannon) October 18, 2018

Meghan wakes up at 4.30am to do yoga.
Me, I wake up at noon and go take a nap at 2pm.

— Amélie (@rachelxzane) October 18, 2018

I could never. That’s why I’m a moody old bat and Meghan is sunshine of love and beauty and all good things. ?

— Cocoa Sneeze (@SneezeCocoa) October 18, 2018

ROYAL COUPLE’S BIZARRE BONDI VISIT

Meghan and Harry have gone full Bondi.

The couple’s arrival on the iconic Australian beach got off to a bizarre and colourful start as they were given colourful leis and participated in an “anti bad vibes” circle on the sand.

The crowds lining the iconic beach screamed as a motorcade made its way down Notts Ave at around 9am this morning.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle swiftly got out and made their way down the steps of the southern end of the beach to start the fourth day of their Down Under tour.
As they reached the sand, the royal pair immediately kicked off their shoes and were given pink and blue floral leis to wear.

The Duke and Duchess then sat in an “anti bad vibe” circle with 20 members of OneWave, a non-profit surf community that raises awareness for mental health.

After 15 minutes of discussing mental health issues, the surfers on the sand with Meghan and Harry put their arms around each other for a group hug.

While holding hands, the royal couple then stood up in their leis and started chatting on the beach with the colourfully-dressed surfers, with Meghan putting on a second lei.

Members around the circle were donning bright colours for Fluoro Friday, a OneWave event where people share their experiences with mental health issues and interact with others while surfing and doing yoga.

If Meghan and Harry’s aim was to shine a spotlight on mental health issues, they appear to have succeeded — OneWave’s website crashed moments after they arrived in Bondi.

The royal pair looked relaxed and happy as they spoke with locals, both rocking a casual, more summery look than they did in rainy Melbourne yesterday.

Meghan Markle had her hair tied into a ponytail and wore a full-length striped dress by Aussie designer Martin Grant, while Prince Harry wore a sky blue button-up shirt loosely tucked into beige chino pants.

They hugged members of the Bondi yoga group and walked along the Bondi waterfront to chat with a group of board riders.

They laughed and smiled as they posed for group photos with locals in flower headbands and bright shirts.

SNIPERS ON THE ROOF FOR ROYAL BONDI VISIT

Security is out in full force for the event.

Royal fans lining the iconic beach yelled “There’s a sniper on the roof!” as two police dressed in black and holding guns appeared on a high-rise apartment block overlooking the southern end of Bondi Beach.

As with any royal visit, there’s a heavy security presence on the ground as well — but they’re looking more colourful than ever in their leis.
Barriers have been erected on the beach extending into the waves, where board riders appear to have been told to keep away from Bondi’s famous southern end surfing spot.

Security are frisking the crowd at the barrier, checking gifts the public might have for the royal couple.

“Have you got any knuckle dusters or knives?” one lei-wearing official jokingly asked a woman as she showed him the contents of her bag.
It’s a step down from Tuesday’s Opera House visit though, where royal fans had to enter the area through a security check and have their bags scanned. No checks were in place at Bondi today.

CROWDS GATHER ON BONDI BEACH

Fans have been gathering on the golden sands of Bondi since 6am this morning — and one pair may have prepared the most Aussie gift yet for Meghan and Harry.

Jarrod Allen and Giovani Testini have rolled up to give the couple a traditional Bondi welcome — in budgie smugglers.

They’ve even come armed with a tiny pair of swimmers for the royal baby.

“We did it when his brother came last time,” Jarrod said of Prince William’s 2014 visit.

There are plenty of unique outfits on display, including colourful tutus, neon headdresses — and even a giant tomato costume.

British university student Lissy Broad, 20, is here for one reason.

“My mum’s a huge fan. She camped out for their wedding. I’m here to rub it in her face,” she laughed while applying mascara, in case she meets the prince.

Then there’s young Sunni, who hopes to get Harry’s attention with a single message:

Local mum Athena brought her two kids James, 9, and Helena, 11 down to catch a glimpse of the couple before school.

“We’ve always been fans of Harry but even more since Meghan came on the scene,” Athena said. She’s an everyday individual. It’s nice to have someone so down to earth.”

Later today, Prince Harry is expected to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Invictus Games competitors to raise the Invictus flag.

After that, Meghan and Harry will meet Opposition Leader Bill Shorten at Admiralty House, followed by a meeting between the Duchess and the PM.