It was hard to tell who was more smitten when Macinley Butson met Prince Harry in Sydney recently.
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Mangerton’s stellar young scientist was “very honoured and humbled” to meet the Duke and Dutchess of Sussex not once, but twice during their recent trip to Australia.
But as the accompanying photo shows, it seems Prince Harry was just as chuffed to see the 2018 NSW Young Australian of the Year for the second time in the space of a week.
“I definitely didn’t expect him to remember me, especially considering how many people they are meeting this week on this tour,” Macinley said.
“But yeah, he recognised me and his eyes kind of lit up, unless I was imagining it. His eyes lit up and he came over and shook my hand and said it is great to see you again, which was a really special moment.”
When Macinley, who has just graduated from year 12 at The Illawarra Grammar School, first met Prince Harry, she spoke to him and Eddie Woo about a range of issues, including her SMART Armour project, which looks at improving outcomes for radiotherapy breast cancer patients.
“It was a fairly long conversation, we spoke for about six or seven minutes,” the 18-year-old said.
“It was great. I thought I was so lucky to have this once in a lifetime opportunity. But I was fortunate enough to meet them twice.”
Macinley was just as gushing in her praise for the “absolutely beautiful” Durchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.
“She is absolutely gorgeous. She's very down to earth. She’s just an amazing person in general.”
As luck would have it, David and Victoria Beckham [aka Becks and Posh] are also visiting Australia at the moment, but Macinley reckons they’re no match for Prince Harry and Meghan.
“They are just such a beautiful couple and I think they are going to be a power couple. You can absolutely tell that they are head over heels for each other,” she said.
You can absolutely tell that they are head over heels for each other.
- Macinley Butson
Macinley also took the opportunity to give the expectant parents a present when she caught up with them at a reception at Admiralty House, Kirribilli.
“I gave them one of my childhood favourite books, ‘Where is the Green Sheep?’ by Mem Fox. The book also came with a little plush sheep toy, which I made a little SMART armour cape for.”
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
