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Many people met the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during their historic visit to the city this week.
But none spent more time with Prince Harry and Meghan than Dubbo Regional Council staff Jason Yelverton (manager social services) and Josie Howard (manager economic development and marketing).
The pair had the honour of escorting the royal couple around Victoria Park, and they spoke to JENNIFER HOAR about the unique experience.
ROYALS IMPRESS
“It was an honour to be asked,” said Jason, who only returned from Dubbo’s sister city in Japan, Minokamo, on Monday.
“It was great to be able to introduce some of the people that do great work in our community and to share some of their stories before we got to them, so they didn't have to spend their moment … explaining who they were.
“It was pretty hectic. There was lots going on and I guess we were all looking … at the big clouds rolling in and hearing the thunder sort of clapping around us … but it was fun.”
Jason and Josie had a front row to seat to the royal couple’s conduct, and said they “genuinely” engaged with everyone they met.
Jason was especially impressed when, at one point, the prince declined the offer of an umbrella from a member of the Kensington Palace staff.
“[Prince Harry] wasn’t going to take the umbrella from him, because he wouldn’t have had one then,” Jason said.
“He sort of stood half under the one he and Meghan were standing under together … actions like that sort of show you the quality of someone and that gave me a pretty good indication.
“I wouldn’t call it ordinary. I’d say someone in an ordinary situation probably would have taken it and not cared … [but] he was genuinely concerned about everyone he was meeting with and talking to.”
Josie was also struck by the prince’s conduct.
“Their Royal Highnesses were really appreciative and my experience of them was really lovely,” she said.
“When we went across [to the council building for lunch] I opened the door for them and then he was like ‘no no, I’ll open the door for you’ and let me walk through … when you’re in that position you’ve got to be a genuine kind of person to think to do that, because I wouldn’t have noticed if I had opened the door and he went through.
“They were really lovely and everyone has still got a buzz. We’re exhausted but we have a buzz.”
BREAKING THE MOULD
The Duke and Duchess spent the majority of their time in Dubbo meeting people from all walks of life, from school students of all ages to medical professionals and members of various community organisations.
Josie remarked at how open and warm the duchess in particular was with children in the crowd, and with whom she seemed to have “a great affinity”.
“Everyone they met, they seemed to give their all to them … for us to be able to walk around with them throughout the whole park, and getting to see them with kids with a disability, with elders, it was right across the board, they just seemed to be really engaged and interested in what everyone was doing,” Josie said.
“The people who were, both in that secure space as well as those who were outside in the park, they really felt … like they got to spend some genuine time.
“They understand what’s going on … I heard Harry encouraging our local RSL sub branch to engage with members of the community through their mental health struggles and they really … had a genuine experience in Dubbo.”
“I think you can see the genuine love between him and his wife,” Jason added.
“He does feel like the type of guy you could sit down and have a beer and a yarn with.
“I don’t know, it sort of feels like the role of the traditional royal has sort of been broken in a way. They were far more …”
“Tactile,” Josie helped. “Tactile with each other, tactile with the community … the amount of hugs people in the community got was just really, really great.”
Even lunch was decidedly humble…
FEEDING ROYALS
When Steph Hendriks and Liza Beattie were preparing 12 picnic boxes in the kitchen at Lazy River Estate on Wednesday morning, they had no idea they were about to feed royalty.
They had received a catering order, and presumed it was for any of the council staff or security personnel located at the council building, while Prince Harry and Meghan met locals in Victoria Park down below.
It wasn’t until head chef Steph arrived at the conspicuously empty council car park that she began to suspect something. It wasn’t until the Daily Liberal called the business that her suspicions were confirmed.
“I can honestly say it didn't even cross my mind when we were actually making the food … I didn't suspect that it was for Harry and Meghan,” Steph told the Daily Liberal.
“I suspected when I got to the council building to deliver it, because the security was insanely tight. I actually had a sniper on me and there was a guy relaying … up to security who I was and what I was doing … I just stood really still and stayed near the van and didn't move so that's when I started to suspect.”
The pair prepared 12 lunch boxes for the royal couple and their staff, who retreated to the council building to dry off, debrief, freshen up and grab a bite to eat after getting drenched at Victoria Park.
Half of the boxes contained chicken and salad wraps while the remaining six, vegetarian boxes contained wraps featuring butter beans and mung beans. Each box also included a side salad and a fruit salad.
“We honestly didn't think ... it would actually be them, because we thought maybe it would have been a bit more of a big deal … their order it was pretty simple,” Liza said.
“It wasn't elaborate food,” Steph added. “It was very humble.
“All of our produce is sourced locally … We sprouted the mung beans ourselves ... the spring onions in the salad are all home-grown.”
It's not the first time Steph has fed royalty; seven years ago she cooked for Princess Mary of Denmark at a sit-down dinner in the Royal Flying Doctor Service base in Broken Hill.
DUBBO IMPRESSES
Josie said Prince Harry and Meghan, the Kensington Palace staff and officials from the state and Commonwealth governments “were all really impressed with Dubbo”.
“They really enjoyed Dubbo because the people were so personable,” she said.
“They found it to be quite relaxed, they said everyone was really well behaved, they enjoyed the crowd, they enjoyed getting to know some of the people in the community.
“Everyone has been saying great things about Dubbo … that’s another message for everyone to take from that is how great Dubbo is and, when we all pull together, what we can achieve and how impressive that is to people and that we still do it with a smile. They were saying there were no egos … it was so professional.”
“Regional cities pull together,” Jason said.
“It’s not just council it was the police, it was all the other services that came on board and even the businesses that stopped operating to come in here … just to be a part of something and that’s something I think you only find in regional Australia.
“You can’t buy the vibe you get in the bush.”
“It was such a big group effort,” Josie said.
“Jason and I were really honoured we played the role we got to play, but everybody had their roles to play … The amount of man hours from … council, the police and the city can’t go unrecognised.”
Do you have a story to tell? Email jennifer.hoar@fairfaxmedia.com.au or call the Daily Liberal on 6883 2900.