While Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have maintained their Australia visit is a private trip, the Duchess of Sussex appeared to slip effortlessly back into a familiar royal routine during her latest engagement.
But it was what happened next that caught the attention of royal watchers. Without pausing or breaking stride, Meghan smoothly passed the flowers to a nearby aide as she continued greeting members of the public.
The gesture may appear small, but it is one rooted firmly in royal protocol. For decades, members of the Royal Family – including Queen Elizabeth II, have followed the same approach during public engagements.
Accepting gifts graciously before discreetly passing them to aides allows them to keep their hands free to shake hands, accept further offerings and continue moving through crowds efficiently.
It is a technique still widely used today. From festive Christmas Day walkabouts at Sandringham to large-scale overseas tours, senior royals regularly rely on this method to manage the steady stream of well-wishers and gifts they encounter. Meghan’s use of the same tactic has been interpreted by some as a telling nod to her time as a working royal.
The Melbourne visit itself followed a familiar royal tour format, with Meghan and Harry meeting patients, speaking with families and acknowledging supporters.
As they moved through the hospital, onlookers could be heard calling out Meghan’s name, with the Duchess responding warmly while continuing through the crowd.
While the Sussexes’ team has emphasised that the trip is not an official royal tour, the structure and style of their appearances have drawn comparisons to traditional engagements carried out on behalf of the monarchy.
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