Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have met with survivors and emergency responders from last year’s horrific Bondi terror attack during the final day of their Down Under visit in Sydney.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Friday spoke with Jessica Chapnik Kahn, who survived the December attack while shielding her five-year-old daughter, as well as Elon Zizer, who was shot multiple times protecting his children.
The couple also met representatives from the Sydney Jewish Museum, which is opening an exhibition on the alleged shooting, which left 15 dead and injured dozens more.
Ms Kahn said it was an “honour” to meet the couple.
“The greater problem in the world right now is hate,” she said.
“Hate is a human problem that we’re facing, a very big problem.
“So to highlight that, to be able to connect with them on this heart level, I think is very special.”
In emotional testimony, she described the moment gunshots rang out.
Mr Zizer said it was “very beautiful” knowing the duke and duchess had made an effort to meet them on their busy tour.
The pair also examined artefacts for the museum’s new exhibition, with well wishing messages and illustrations honouring heroes who helped people during the attack.
The couple greeted adoring fans and their young families on the Man O’War steps of the world famous icon.
Markle flaunted a custom pair of navy thongsor “flip flops” stamped in a yellow “G’Day Megs” message much to the Duchess’s delight, presented by veteran Joel Vanderzwan, whose four year old daughter, Charlotte, danced with the Duke.
Another pair with ‘G’Day Hazza’ was also presented to the Duke who reportedly joked that he normally received “budgie smugglers” from Invictus Australia.
Mr Vanderzwan’s wife, Alexandra and their nine-month-old twin sons, coincidentally named Harrison and William also met with the former royals.
Meghan told the four year old Charlotte that her husband was “very good at twirling” before they danced together.
Afterwards, the couple were photographed beaming and laughing together before they boarded a police boat at the Opera House on Friday afternoon.
By way of sea, they travelled to join members of the Invictus Australia community for a sailing event on Sydney Harbour.
A helicopter flew above their vessel, which was designed to be accessible to those in wheelchairs so that injured veterans could also board.
On their journey, passengers on a larger vessel that sailed past the couple waved and cheered as the boat beeped its horn.
Chief executive of Invictus Australia Michael Hartung said having the Duke and Duchess return to Sydney Harbour, where sailing first joined the Invictus movement was a “full circle moment”.
“It’s a chance to show that Invictus in Australia isn’t just a biannual event – it’s a daily, grassroots movement. By the end of 2026, we will have supported over 30,000 veterans and their families through community-based sport.” he said.
The Duke was pictured not only winning the hearts of flocking fans but also those of the canine variety as he held an adorable dog at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.
Earlier, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have wrapped up their four-day tour in Sydney with the salt air of the Harbour, the sea and sand of Bondi and a rugby crowd.
In the last stop on their Down Under visit, the couple met with volunteer first responders from Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club.
The smiling duke was pictured chatting up with some beaming volunteers in their iconic yellow and red, with the duchess shaking hands beside her husband in the clubs hall. They appeared in numerous group selfies, wearing shades of blue.
Both former royals appeared relaxed in the sunny weather, taking off their shoes to walk barefoot on world famous Bondi’s golden sands surrounded by a sea of curious members of the public and the Surf Life Saver volunteers.
They examined inflatable rescue boats on the beach that lifesavers use every day to save and protect swimmers. As photographers snapped pictures of the two, they copped soggy shoes from the incoming waves while trying to get the perfect shot.
For the past three days, Harry and Meghan’s visit has been dominated by conversations on mental health and the personal pressures of their public life.
“After my mum died just before my 13th birthday – I was like: ‘I don’t want this job. I don’t want this role – wherever this is headed, I don’t like it’,” Prince Harry said on Thursday.
It is this lifelong grappling with the public gaze that informs the couple’s final day in Sydney.
On Friday, the Sussexes – who are no longer working royals and live in California – will pivot from these heavy reflections to sport which Harry has often cited previously as “a conduit for healing”.
The afternoon kicked off at the Man O’War Steps, where the couple boarded a boat to join members of the Invictus Australia community.
This was a return to the roots of the 2018 Sydney Games and served as a reminder of how much had changed since their first visit, back then, they arrived as senior working royals and a newly married couple.
Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games, an international adaptive sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.
He established the game in London in 2014 and now, Invictus Australia has also transitioned from a one-off event into permanency, supporting nearly 30,000 veterans through the rehabilitative power of sport.
The couple are expected to spend time on the water with veterans and their families highlighting the Duke and Duchess’s continued commitment to supporting mental health, strengthening support for the Armed Forces community.
As the tour moves from a scenic boat ride to the high-stakes rugby game at Allianz Stadium, Meghan will be making a pit stop as she headlines the Her Best Life retreat.
Dubbed as the ultimate girls retreat, the event is held by host Gemma O’Neil at Coogee, with tickets starting at a staggering $2699.
The VIP experience costs even more at $3199.
After her speech, the Duchess will return to Moore Park where she and the Duke will attend a game between the NSW Waratahs and Moana Pasifika.
