Harry and Meghan join Aboriginal walking tour in Melbourne
Harry and Meghan Join Aboriginal Walking Tour in Melbourne
On the third day of their Australian visit, Prince Harry and Meghan embarked on a journey through the history of First Nations Australians in Melbourne. The pair participated in a cultural heritage experience known as the Scar Tree Walk, a significant event led by Indigenous guides. They traversed the Birrarung, the traditional name for the Yarra River, as part of the tour.
A Cultural Heritage Experience
Guided by local Indigenous leaders, the couple engaged with the Marngrook, a traditional ball crafted from possum fur. This artifact is believed to have inspired the design of the oval ball used in Australian Rules Football (AFL). The tour began at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Federation Square, offering insights into how the river and surrounding areas were historically used for fishing and hunting.
“The fact that the Duke yesterday was at a football club, I think it’s a really great connection,” said Tom Mosby, CEO of the Koorie Heritage Trust.
During the walk, the couple encountered an art installation, which highlighted the deep-rooted relationship Aboriginal communities maintain with their traditional lands. Mosby emphasized that Melbourne, while a modern urban hub, still holds strong cultural ties to its ancestral heritage. He also noted the couple’s interest in Victoria’s Treaty process, which was formalized in 2025 as the first such agreement in Australia.
Encounters with Locals and Visitors
Several residents and tourists had the chance to meet the couple during the tour. Sofia Rocha, a Brazilian visitor attending her sister’s wedding, spotted them while running along the river. “It was so nice,” she remarked. “They are the most gorgeous couple.”
“They’ve got to make a living as well. It’s part of their life now, this sort of thing, so I think it’s good,” said Narelle Zagami, a local who met the pair.
Others, like Vita Benic, shared a similar sentiment. Benic, who had the opportunity to meet the Prince of Wales and his late wife, Diana, during their 1983 Australia trip, presented the couple with children’s colouring books for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. “They’re the epitome of what a family should be,” Benic added.
Other Activities During Their Stay
Prince Harry’s schedule on Wednesday included a speech at a report launch on fathers’ mental health. He discussed his own experiences as a parent and encouraged children to be an “upgrade” of their fathers. Meanwhile, Meghan filmed an episode for the new season of MasterChef Australia, set to air as a guest judge on Sunday.
Earlier in the week, Harry had joined AFL players for a session on the sport. Their previous visit to Australia in 2018, shortly after their marriage, saw large crowds gather to welcome them during public appearances. This time, their activities focus on personal exploration and connecting with local communities outside of royal duties.
