Excitement is mounting for the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Dubbo next Wednesday with the Mayor inviting the community to a picnic in the park.
Prince Harry and Meghan will fly from Sydney to Dubbo on the second day of their official visit to Australia, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and New Zealand.
They will first visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service to learn more about the life-saving role the aviation service provides for people living in rural and regional areas.
With most of the state of NSW suffering from drought, the Royal couple will see firsthand the hardships local farmers are facing by visiting a local property.
The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Victoria Park to join people from Dubbo and surrounding areas at a picnic in the park to celebrate community spirit within the region, and His Royal Highness will give an address.
The historic event in Victoria Park will start at 11:30am and is an opportunity for the public to catch a glimpse of their Royal Highnesses. According to a statement by Kensington Palace, the Duke and Duchess have asked to meet as many Australians, Fijians, Tongans and New Zealanders as possible during their tour.
The Mayor of the Dubbo Region Ben Shields has invited the community to a picnic in Victoria Park to welcome the Royal visitors to the region. “Dubbo’s Picnic in the Park will be a great day out for the whole region. Council staff have been working hard to ensure we deliver a great festive atmosphere with music and activities that celebrate our regional community,” the Mayor said.
“The Royal visit is a special time for Dubbo and we expect there will be a lot of people who want to be there when Their Royal Highnesses are in town.” He added the magic of the Monarchy would draw attention in a way that no one else could. “I expect the presence of The Duke and Duchess will be a massive morale boost for the community.”
Representatives at the picnic will include members of the community who have made special contributions in the services of youth, community and the environment, as well as organisations supporting people affected by drought.
The Picnic in the Park will run for three hours with performances and food stalls. All the proceeds will go to local charity.
There will be no parking close to Victoria Park as road closures will be enforced. The public is encouraged to make use of the bus service and parking that will be made available at the Dubbo Showgrounds.
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