It feels like a lifetime ago when Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle were at the Sydney Opera House.
But now, a very sneaky and unsuspecting Prince, has made his way to the famous forecourt without the royal fanfare.
His Royal Highness the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, has landed in Sydney this morning, bringing his Pitch@Palace initiative down under.
Taking to his official Instagram, the Prince (or more likely his “people”) have shared a gorgeous picture of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House – which bares a very different scene from when Harry and Megs were in town.
“Good morning Sydney! #pitchatpalace On Tour Sydney takes place later today @sydoperahouse!” the post read.
This is the second year the Duke has brought his Pitch@Palace initiative to Sydney.
Dubbed “Pitch@Palace 2.0”, the program “gives Entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet the people who can help make their business dreams become a reality.”
It also supports Entrepreneurs by providing them with the best opportunities to access mentors and advisers, distribution systems and supply chains, connections and investment and Prince Andrew is at its helm.
According to the official website, there is also a global component which helps “build access and connectivity around the world”.
Prince Andrew and Pitch@Palace 2.0 will also visit Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and the Gold Coast over the next nine days.
Last year marked the first time royalty had visited the Gold Coast since Queen Elizabeth II flew into Coolangatta Airport in 1963 – and we’re hoping that the Schoolie’s festivities won’t interfere.
Queen Elizabeth visiting the Gold Coast in 1963. (Source: ABC)
While it may seem difficult for most members of the Royal family to come in undetected, the Duke is not the first to arrive into Sydney unnoticed.
Back in June, Princess Beatrice was spotted in Sydney after secretly flying into Australia.
The 30-year-old daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson was seen around Sydney attending a lunch and taking part in a tour of St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst.
She spent 90 minutes at the hospital meeting staff and patients.
WATCH NEXT: Princess Beatrice finishes charity triathlon
Story Continues…
“What she wanted to come to see, in particular, was the mental health department. She has a specific interest in that, as well as in HIV,” a hospital spokesman said.
“She also toured the emergency department and inpatient wards and she went to Caritas, our mental health unit, and met with staff, psychiatrists, nursing staff and patients.”
“The staff were very struck by her personal interest in their endeavours, particularly in mental health.”
“She was delightful. The staff were really blown away. She was very, very present.”
“She’s like her mum (Sarah, Duchess of York) and her late aunt (Diana, Princess of Wales) and was extremely engaged and interested.”
Both Beatrice’s parents have a long relationship with the Sydney hospital and have supported its fundraising arm, The St Vincent’s Curran Foundation.
The Princess attended a Women in Leadership luncheon at Chifley Tower in Sydney in June. (Source: Instagram/@janebedfordbrown)
“Today at work we hosted a luncheon Women in Leadership, special guest HRH Princess Beatrice of York,” she captioned the post.
The low-key trip wasn’t Beatrice’s first time Down Under, she and her family have been to Australia a number of times to visit her Aunt Jane (her mother’s sister) who has lived in the country for more than 30 years.
