A group of 21 Tasmanian women have had a Friday afternoon to remember, after unexpectedly coming across Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the Sydney Opera House.
Jacqui Jones, who runs Hobart-based women’s travel and events company Flourish Events, had organised the getaway that included a harbour cruise and tickets to Phantom of the Opera.
The group arrived at the Opera House early for a lunchtime tour and heard whispers that the celebrity couple might be in the area.
“And then suddenly Harry and Meghan were there and they walked over and talked to us for ages,” Jones told Pulse.
“They were so excited to hear that we’re on a girls’ trip from Tasmania.”
“Meghan gave one of the ladies a hug, Harry shook hands with us all.”
“They were really lovely and really generous with their time.”
They’d planned to walk across to the Botanical Gardens but security had closed the gates, leaving them stuck in the perfect spot.
“What a bonus that Harry and Meghan did actually turn up,” she said.
Video footage captured by media at the scene showed Harry asking the group to put their hands up if they were from Tasmania before telling Meghan that all the women were on a girls’ trip from the island state.
Jones said she genuinely liked both Harry and Meghan, describing Meghan as “really quite warm and very friendly”.
Most of the 21 women didn’t know each other before the weekend, having met for the first time on the opening night.
Jones said she’s been running business for two years, organising trips and events for women who want to get out and try new things but don’t necessarily have anyone to do them with.
“It’s actually become very, very popular,” she said.
Next month she’s taking a different group of 20 women to Uluru, though she admitted she’s not sure how she’ll outdo a royal encounter.
“I don’t know how I’m gonna top it for the next trip,” she said.
“So I might have to see if I can drum up some celebrity to just pop up.”
