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Prince Harry showed his reckless side – and enjoyed a world-famous view – during his royal tour Down Under.
The 34-year-old climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge on Friday (local time) to hoist the Invictus flag, officially inaugurating the 2018 Invictus Games.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has joined Harry for climbing more than 1,000 steps, but Prince Meghan Markle's wife, who is expecting the couple's first child, has remained firmly planted on the ground.
Athletes Luke Hill, Ruth Hunt, Heidi Joosten and Michael Lyddiard, athletes at the Invictus Games, and Gwen Cherne, whose late husband served in Cambodia, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq, also joined Harry.
Prince Harry climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge
Prince Harry climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge
On the way, the prince – who wore an Invictus Games black shirt and khakis with sunglasses – paused several times to admire the view, check his team and make a happy gesture towards the camera. When he finally reached the top, Harry discovered his surroundings, including the black, white and yellow Invictus flag much larger than he expected.
"It's a big flag," he said, before helping to lift it alongside the Australian national flag, which was already blowing in the wind.
During the group's descent, the cars honked in front of Harry as they passed. He also thanked the bridge safety officers and shook hands with them before descending to ground level, where he was greeted with applause and applause.
Prince Harry climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge
Prince Harry on the Sydney Harbor Bridge
Prince Harry hugging a climbing companion
Dominic Lipinski / PA Images via Getty Images
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This is the first outing of the couple's 76 engagement tour to which Meghan, who has just entered her second quarter, did not participate.
The official BridgeClimb website lists specific instructions for pregnant climbers. If you are pregnant for less than 24 weeks, you can participate with a certificate of fitness signed by your doctor. However, if you are more than 24 weeks pregnant, you can not climb.
Prince Harry climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge
Prince Harry
Media-Mode / SplashNews.com
The prince is no stranger to a small danger. He flew to the back of a spittoon, which he was controlling for part of the flight, in 2015 and was described as "natural" at skydiving. He had even climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge in 2005.
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Meghan and Harry started their tour in Sydney before making day trips to Melbourne and Dubbo.
Before boarding the bridge on Friday, Meghan, 37, and Harry were greeted at the famous Bondi Beach by Grant Trebilco and Sam Schumacher, founders of OneWave.
The group of the local colorful surf community spoke to members of the Royal Family about their commitment to raising awareness about mental health and well-being.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Dominic Lipinski / PA Images via Getty
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Ryan Pierse / Getty
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While there, Meghan talked about her pregnancy at the local Charlotte Connell – who is also waiting for her – and explained that her kid had already kept her at night.
"Meghan told me that pregnancy was like having jet lag," Connell said, as reported by Sky News. "She said that she was getting up at 4:30 this morning to do yoga in her room because she could not sleep."
Meghan Markle
Chris Jackson – Pool / Getty
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They then took part in the "Fluro Friday" session, in which people of all ages shared their experiences on mental health issues in a "bad mood circle".
The couple also had the opportunity to interact with others while practicing yoga and surfing – and Harry even helped wax a surfboard.
Prince Harry waxing a surfboard
Ryan Pierse / Getty
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Ryan Pierse / Getty
After their trip to the beach, they then went to Macarthur Girls High School, where they met students from the "In League in Harmony Youth Advocate" program, which aims to unite and inspire youth to advocate for cohesion and inclusion in their communities.
They also participated in a workshop on social justice and youth empowerment.
The royal couple is now back in Sydney for the opening weekend of the Invictus Games, which will kick off with the opening ceremony to be held on Saturday.
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Paralympic style competition for injured and convalescing veterans and soldiers around the world includes sports such as wheelchair basketball, sit-down volleyball and indoor rowing.
Their 16-day tour will also include brief visits to the islands of Fiji and Tonga before the royal couple returns to Australia and New Zealand.
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