Harry and Meghan have been escorted by police protection as they sailed around Sydney Harbour.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent several minutes shaking hands and taking selfies with adoring fans when they arrived at the Sydney Opera House, as a heavy police and private security presence watched on.

The couple then boarded a boat for a sail around the iconic harbour with Invictus Australia – similar the one they enjoyed the last time they were here in 2018 for the Invictus Games.

They were escorted by NSW Police officers, which is funded by taxpayers.

Meghan was gifted a pair of Invictus Australia-branded thongs emblazoned with G’day Megs.

Meghan and Harry attended Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club to meet with heroes of the Bondi massacre before being surrounded by crowds.

A heavy NSW Police and private security presence guarded the doors as the Duke and Duchess spent 30 minutes inside meeting 40 surf life savers.

Some of those lifesavers were among the first responders to the Bondi terrorist attack, where 15 innocent lives were killed and dozens more were injured on December 14.

Harry and Meghan drew cheers from the crowd gathered outside as they emerged from the club.

Flanked by lifeguards, they headed down to the famous shore to watch a surf club demonstration, where they were surrounded by hundreds of people.

The crowd didn’t appear to faze the couple, who happily shook hands and posed for selfies.

Shannon Frost, the wife of surf lifesaver Jason, told Daily Mail that Meghan stopped to pat her dog Lolly on the way into the the venue.

The visit was kept tightly under wraps and was not listed on the couple’s official itinerary.

A man wearing only beachball-patterned budgie smugglers has embraced Prince Harry amid scenes of huge fanfare on Bondi Beach.

Harry, 41, and wife Meghan Markle, 44, were greeted by dozens of fans as they visited the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club on Friday morning.

But no one was as enthusiastic as a budgie smuggler‑clad local who darted in front of the couple to record them as they moved across the sand.

He then stopped the Duke for a proper photo, with his tattooed, slightly sunburnt arm seen wrapped around his shoulder.

In true Aussie style, the man then shook Harry’s hand, gave him a friendly slap on the back and pulled him into what was probably a rather sweaty hug.

Harry and Meghan have disembarked at Cruising Yacht Club Australia in Rushcutters Bay following their sail around Sydney Harbour.

The Duke of Sussex appeared thrilled with his afternoon on the water as he grinned and waved at excited fans waiting to get a glimpse of the couple.

They walked along the wharf hand-in-hand as Harry stopped to pat and cuddle several dogs, including a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

The couple were then whisked away to a waiting car to be driven back to the InterContinental Hotel in Coogee to prepare for later engagements.

Invictus Australia chief executive Michael Hartung hopes that the positive public response to Harry and Meghan in recent days puts negativity about the visit to rest.

‘It’s really interesting seeing the duke and duchess back in Australia since 2018,’ he said.

‘The world was a different place, things were very different at that time and, there was a bit of negativity surrounding their return visit, and I think that’s all been put to rest really.

‘I think the general public can see that their hearts are in the right place, and they’re there to support good causes, like Invictus, it’s a really positive thing.’

Harry and Meghan spoke with several survivors of the Bondi terrorist attack during their visit to Bondi this morning.

They included Elon Zizer, 40, who was shot multiple times while shielding his children that night on December 14.

‘It’s an honour to meet the duke and duchess. It’s very beautiful that they’ve come and made an effort to meet us,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘It’s very special – it makes us feel heard.’

Jessica Chapnik Kahn also survived the attack while shielding her five-year-old daughter after attending a Hanukkah party.

The greater problem in the world right now is hate. Hate is a human problem that we’re facing, a very big problem,’ she said.

‘So to highlight that, to be able to connect with them on this heart level, I think is very special.’

The couple also met with representatives from the Sydney Jewish Museum, which is opening an exhibition on the massacre.

Meghan and Harry were surrounded by dozens of NSW Police Officers as they made an unofficial visit to the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club.

Officers were seen keeping a close eye on the famous couple as they made their way down to the sand with 30 lifeguards and about 100 onlookers in tow.

The Public Order and Riot Squad were also in attendance.

The couple were seen taking selfies and shaking hands with fans as they made their way onto the beach, where they watched a Surf Life Saving demonstration.

Meghan was said to have pocketed up to $380,000 for her top-secret appearance on MasterChef Australia – but the truth is even more astounding.

The Daily Mail can reveal that the Duchess of Sussex was not paid a cent, and didn’t even promote her As Ever food and lifestyle range, featuring flower sprinkles, fruit preserves and wine.

The 44-year-old quietly visited the set of the reality TV cooking series on Wednesday to film her show-stopping segment at Melbourne Showgrounds.

It is understood she was on set for the entire day of filming, with Network 10 later confirming she would be a guest judge in an episode of the new season.

Some TV industry analysts initially suggested she could have been paid up to US$250,000 (AU$380,000) to appear on the show.

Former TV executive Rob McKnight dismissed the six-figure fee, but revealed the Duchess could easily have demanded between $10,000 to $50,000.

‘I think it is a brilliant PR move by Network 10, which is probably worth the least amount of money of the major networks,’ he said, hailing hailed the publicity coup.

‘It has shown Ten is the little engine that could.’

The influential ‘mutual friend’ who brokered Meghan Markle’s $3,000-a-head appearance at a women’s retreat in Sydney today has been pictured in the eastern suburbs hours before the event is due to begin.

Markus Anderson, one of Meghan’s closest confidants who played a crucial role in her early romance with Prince Harry, was spotted doing the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk on Friday morning with the Duchess, accompanied by NSW Police protection.

Gemma O’Neill, the organiser of the ‘Her Best Life’ retreat for which Meghan is rumoured to be receiving a $250,000 appearance fee, earlier this week revealed that the former Suits actress was involved as a favour to her ‘mutual friend’.

His appearance in Sydney today all but confirms that Anderson is that friend.

Anderson is a high-ranking executive with the Soho House group of private members’ clubs, and O’Neill is on the board of Soho House Sydney, which is expected to open at the end of this year or early 2027.

On Friday morning, Meghan was seen enjoying the picturesque scenes of Sydney’s most famous walking track with Anderson.

However, security rushed them into a waiting car when they spotted media nearby.

Meghan has been close friends with Anderson, who is Canadian, since her days as a B-list actress playing a supporting role in Suits, which was filmed in Toronto.

Harry and Meghan will sail around Sydney Harbour with Invictus Australia later today.

The Australian arm of the international sporting event hopes to bring the games back Down Under in 2031.

It’s not the couple’s first visit to Sydney Harbour.

They were newlyweds and still senior working members of the royal family when they first visited the iconic harbour in 2018 during the Invictus Games (pictured below).

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex cheered on competitors in the Invictus sailing finals, as they chatted animatedly with fellow sailors aboard the sailboat Hunky Dory.

Organisers are hoping for better conditions than last time after the couple copped a drenching on the breezy boat ride.

“We’re still apologising,’ Invictus Australia chief executive Michael Hartung told Nine Newspapers.

‘Our fingers are crossed for some good weather.’

Hundreds of Aussies who camped out to score a front row seat to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s engagements this week have scored better photos – for free – than those who paid thousands to attend Meghan’s exclusive retreat.

Meghan and Harry have posed for countless selfies for Aussies waiting outside their official tour stops in Melbourne and Canberra since touching down on Tuesday.

The fact is likely stinging to those who paid $3,199 for a VIP ticket to Meghan’s Australian ‘Her Best Life’ event at the five-star InterContinental Coogee Beach hotel from Friday to Sunday.

Standard tickets for the retreat cost $2,699 each for a twin share room.

Those paying $3,199 for a VIP ticket are entitled to a ‘group table photo’ with Meghan as well as a solo premium hotel room and an ‘exclusive VIP goodie bag’.

No media, no phones, and no recording.

There are the strict rules for women who forked out thousands to attend the Her Best Life retreat headlined by Meghan at the InterContinental Sydney in Coogee.

Meghan will make a short appearance at the a short appearance at the retreat organised by Australian radio presenter Jackie ‘O’ Henderson and her manager Gemma O’Neill.

Some guests are paying $3199 to be in the room and get a “group table photo” with the Duchess.

Attendees will undergo rigorous security clearance before the ‘inspiring live conversation’ during which the use of phones is strictly prohibited.

‘Much like our previous events, and in keeping with our usual policy, this is a strict no phones, no recording moment for the duration of the interview,’ the itinerary states.

‘We promise it’s worth it – this is about being fully present, soaking it all in, and it’s also a non-negotiable security requirement.

‘ Phones away, eyes up, and enjoy the magic!’

Meghan has started her first day in Sydney with a stroll along the Tamarama to Bronte coastal walk.

The Duchess of Sussex donned a blue baseball cap and big sunnies on the walk, where she was joined by close friend Markus Anderson.

Surrounded by NSW Police protection, which is funded by taxpayers, she was casually dressed in a black coat, leggings and sneakers, with her hair tied back in a ponytail.

It’s understood that Meghan only did a small section of the coastal stretch before she was ushered back to a waiting car when she was spotted by the media.

The stretch is part of the iconic Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.

Meghan will later join Harry on a sailing trip around Sydney Harbour with Invictus Australia, and tonight, attend a Super Rugby match between NSW Waratahs and Moana Pasifika at Allianz Stadium.

Meghan will also make a money-spinning appearance at the women-only ‘Her Best Life’ retreat at the luxury five-star InterContinental Sydney in Coogee, where the couple are staying.

Tickets for the weekend cost up to $3,199 AUD (£1,400) with those who paid the extra £264 for a ticket allowed the chance to have a table photo.

Harry and Meghan arrived in Sydney last night where they checked into InterContinental Sydney before heading out for a late-night dinner at Mimis.

Sources said the couple sat with a group and appeared relaxed and laughing.

A heavy police presence was seen outside the hotel on Friday morning.

There are at least six police protection vehicles parked outside, along with three other general duties cars with uniformed NSW police officers.

Both NSW Police and Victoria Police confirmed last week that they would pay for their protection of the couple during their four-day tour of Australia.