Prince Harry and Meghan hailed as lifesavers after 'anti-bad vibe' group hug in Bondi | UK news



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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have again wowed crowds in Sydney – this time on the sands of Bondi beach.

Cheering and screaming broke out of a large crowd. They were there to shine a spotlight on the health of onewave surf community support group.

Its members meet every Friday morning, dressed in bright fluorescent colors, share their struggles and head to the surf to try to heal themselves.

OneWave's founders, Grant Trebilco and Sam Schumacher, welcomed the royals to the beach with flower leis. The couple kicked off their shoes and, holding hands, joined an "anti-bad vibe circle" on the sand.

They listened to members' stories of how the group has helped them. The duke, talking animatedly, told them about the mental health charity Heads Together with his brother and sister-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.





The Duke and Duchess of Sussex take part in a 'Fluro Friday' session run by OneWave.



The Duke and Duchess of Sussex take part in a 'Fluro Friday' session run by OneWave. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts / EPA

The couple also spoke to a OneWave beach group before meeting surfers. One of them, Mark Micelli, asked the prince if he had ever waxed a surfboard and handed him a lump of wax.

"You want me to wax your board?" "Next time find someone else to do it," he joked, before the duchess reached out to help.

"You can join in if you like," a member of the group said, pointing to the ocean. "Too cold today," the prince replied, adding: "Go guys, go and get in the water."





Harry and Meghan with members of OneWave



Harry and Meghan with members of OneWave, which raises awareness about mental health and wellbeing. Photograph: Paul Edwards / AP

Trebilco, who had a manic episode and was diagnosed as a bipolar six years ago, said: "The things that really saved me was surfing and the other thing was talking about it. Two of my closest friends started sharing their stories about depression and I never knew.

"It's so hard to reach out for help. What Harry is doing with his Heads Together is amazing, letting people know it's OK to not be OK.

"Australia loves them. They're super passionate about mental health, they're showing that mental health does not discriminate. They're saving lives talking about it. "

OneWave holds "Fluro Friday" sunrise sessions on the world to raise awareness about mental health.





Prince Harry and Meghan in the "anti bad vibe circle".



Prince Harry and Meghan in the "anti bad vibes circle". Photograph: Saeed Khan / AFP / Getty Images

The issue is one of those closest to the prince's heart. Diana, Diana, was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

"He said:" I have probably been very close to a complete breakdown on all occasions, "he said.

One of the members of the anti-bad vibe circle, Charlotte Connell, said: "Harry said each and every one of us would experience poor mental health at some stage in our lives.

"Harry said, 'It took me not six months, but 18 months to find the right person to speak to you.'"





Meghan waxes a surfboard



The duchess tries her hand at waxing a surfboard. Photograph: Dean Lewins / EPA

Connell said both Harry and Meghan had said they were doing so well. "Even in her jetlagged state she got up in the morning and did yoga at 4.30am," she said. "She said it's so good for healing her mind."

Connell, who is 23 weeks pregnant, told Meghan that being pregnant felt like being jetlagged, "So much to be had and exhausted."

After the OneWave event the duke and duchess puts the audience in a 20-minute walkabout, then headed west to Macarthur girls high school in Parramatta.





The royal couple during their visit to Sydney High School Macarthur Girls.



The royal couple during their visit to Sydney High School Macarthur Girls. Photograph: Phil Noble / Reuters

They arrived at the school shortly after HSC students had finished an exam.

NSW's first Gladys Berejiklian was also on hand, as a group of dancers first entertained their royal guests with a dance to the Frankie Goes To Hollywood version of The Power of Love.

The visitors are talking to the girls about social justice project and youth empowerment.





The Duchess of Sussex speaking at the Sydney school.



The Duchess of Sussex speaking at the Sydney school. Photograph: Phil Noble / Reuters

They also heard about the NRL's League in Harmony program, which aims to unite and empower young people to be advocates of positive change in their communities.

They have several more engagements in Sydney on Friday. Prince Harry will climb the Harbor Bridge with the prime minister, Scott Morrison, to raise the flag of the Invictus Games flag – the major reason for the royal visit.

The games, founded by the prince, bring together wounded and ill veterans from 18 countries for a Paralympic-style competition featuring 11 adaptive sports from wheelchair rugby to swimming and athletic events.

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