Harry and Meghan meet Bondi shooting survivors

Simon Atkinson,
Harry Sekulich,Sydneyand
Ella Kipling
News imageReuters The Duchess of Sussex meets volunteer first responders from Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving ClubReuters
The Duchess of Sussex met volunteer first responders from Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spoken to survivors and emergency responders from the Bondi Beach shooting, on the fourth day of their Australian visit.

Volunteer lifeguards and community leaders met the couple at the beach in Sydney where 15 people were killed and 40 injured at a Hannukah event in December.

The couple have been visiting eastern Australian cities, including Canberra and Melbourne.

Prince Harry and Meghan arrived at Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club on Friday morning, where they spoke to Jessica Chapnik Khan and Elon Zizer, who both survived the shootings while shielding their children.

Watch: Crowds greet Prince Harry and Meghan at Sydney Opera House

Bondi lifeguards, who were hailed as heroes for protecting members of the public during the attack, also met the pair.

Representatives of the Sydney Jewish Museum, which is opening an exhibition dedicated to the attack, also attended, describing Prince Harry and Meghan's visit as "really special".

News imageGetty Images The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pose for a selfie photo as they meet volunteer first responders from Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving ClubGetty Images
Bondi surf club captured a selfie with the couple
News imageGetty Images Harry and Meghan seen from behind on a large white vessel with 'Making waves' printed on the side in red letters. On the right side sits six people wearing turquoise T-shirts and life jackets, and on the left sits three people in dark clothes and red life jackets. Meghan is wearing a navy and white striped shirt with sunglasses and Harry wear a light-coloured shirt. Both wear dark life jackets.Getty Images
Harry and Meghan headed out onto the water to take part in a sailing event with members of Invictus Australia

The couple were later welcomed by fans who had lined the steps of the Sydney Opera House, where they boarded a boat for a sailing event hosted by Invictus Australia.

The couple met veteran Joel Vanderzwan at the harbour, who presented them with customised flip-flops featuring the messages 'G'day Hazza' and 'G'day Megs'.

After accepting the gifts, Harry joked that he normally receives "budgie smugglers" from Invictus Australia.

The couple then headed out onto the water on a vessel designed to be wheelchair-accessible, so injured veterans could board.

In 2018, Prince Harry announced that Australia would host the Invictus Games during his royal tour, a competition he founded in 2014 for wounded military veterans.

It is the couple's first trip to Australia since that 2018 tour.

Michael Hartung, chief executive of Invictus Australia, described Harry and Meghan's return to Sydney Harbour as a "full-circle moment".

The couple are no longer working royals and have been visiting the country in a private capacity.

News imageGetty Images Megan and Harry are seen sitting on blue stadium seats. She is wearing a tan jacket while he is wearing a dark button-up shirt and sitting with his arms crossed. There are people sitting on either side of them, behind and in front of them at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
Getty Images
The couple attended a rugby union match at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Friday evening

Meghan appeared on Friday at a women-only weekend retreat at a Sydney hotel, tickets for which started at A$2,699 (£1,430) per person.

Tickets that included a group photo with her cost A$3,199 (£1,696).

Security was tight, with limited media access.

On their last night in Sydney, Prince Harry and Meghan attended a rugby game between the New South Wales Waratahs and Moana Pasifika.

The couple sat next to Phil Waugh, CEO of Australian Rugby Union, who invited them to the event.

Harry last attended a rugby game in Sydney 23 years ago, where he watched England win the World Cup.