GIANTS AFLW leaders Amanda Farrugia and Alicia Eva are set for a brush with royalty on Sunday.
The GIANTS captain and vice-captain will be attending a luncheon in honour of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – at The Domain in Sydney.
The royal couple’s tour of Australia coincides with Sydney hosting the Invictus Games, which Prince Harry founded. In a coincidence, the GIANTS are playing host to Invictus Games athletes as they use the club’s facilities in preparation for the Games.
Farrugia – who said she enjoyed watching every minute of the couple’s Royal Wedding earlier this year, especially the “evangelical priest that went on a bit of an extended homily during the service” and the Irish singer who performed as Markle entered the church – said it was an honour to be invited into an audience with the royals.
“This is very unique and I think this is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said.
“We’re looking to give them a bit of a special gift – not only a gift for Meghan and Harry, but also for the little one they’re expecting, to give them something to remember us by.”
The luncheon forms part of the royal couple’s Sunday itinery, along with attending cycling and sailing events in the Invictus Games.
Farrugia said while the invitation was a great honour for her and Eva, it was also a fantastic acknowledgement for elite female athletes.
“It’s almost an acknowledgement that female athletes exist in Sydney, being equal to all the males that have been invited to represent their sport (on royal visits) in the past.
“I know there are a lot of female athletes who have met them already on this tour.”