Prince Harry and Meghan Markle receive cheeky Australian gift that breaks tradition and leaves them in stitches

Ben McCaffrey
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:58:36 +0000

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex received a cheeky gift in Sydney today, leaving the pair in stitches of laughter.

Prince Harry, 41, and Meghan Markle, 44, visited the iconic Sydney Harbour during the final day of their trip Down Under.

The Duke danced with a four-year-old Australian girl before sailing around Sydney's world-famous harbour with his wife and Invictus Games supporters.

Harry and Meghan delighted the public by posing for photos next to the Sydney Opera House's Man O'War steps before taking to the water on a boat containing past competitors in the biennial games.

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The pair were escorted by police protection, paid for by the Australian taxpayer, as they sailed around the iconic harbour.

But before jumping on the boat, they met veteran Joel Vanderzwan, who presented them with custom flip-flops - known as thongs in Australia – blazoned with the playful inscriptions "G'day Hazza" and "G'day Megs".

Meghan looked in stitches of laughter upon receiving the gift, while Harry beamed with amusement.

The duke then joked he normally receives "budgie smugglers" from Invictus Australia instead.

Since the Invictus Games Sydney in October 2018 – the last time Harry and Meghan visited the country – a tradition has emerged after he was gifted a pair of budgie smugglers in a moment that went viral worldwide.

The Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation has since received a pair of the iconic Aussie swimwear at every Invictus Games he has attended.

The couple later met Mr Vanderzwan's four-year-old daughter, Charlotte; his wife, Alexandra; and his nine-month-old twin sons – who, in a rather remarkable coincidence, are named Harrison and William.

Meghan told Charlotte her husband was "very good at twirling" before Harry stood up to twirl the girl around after she asked to dance with the prince.

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The Sussexes then took to the water, with their vessel being surrounded by media boats attempting to film the couple, as a helicopter flew above them amid intense press interest in the couple's visit to Australia.

The boat Harry and Meghan boarded was specially designed to be accessible for those with wheelchairs, so injured veterans could board.

A large boat that went past the couple's sailing vessel sounded its horn as passengers waved at Harry and Meghan on a gloriously sunny day on the water during the last day of their Australia visit.

While sailing around the harbour, Invictus Australia said participants would share "first-hand accounts of how the organisation provides year-round support, using sport as a vital tool for recovery, rehabilitation, social connection and proactive wellbeing".

Michael Hartung, chief executive of Invictus Australia, said: "Having the Duke and Duchess return to Sydney Harbour, where sailing first joined the Invictus movement, is 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."