Harry, Meghan ditch shoes, break royal protocol for beach appearance

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s trip to Australia has been all about the photo op. And today’s visit to a beach is no exception as the royal couple broke protocol and got rid of their shoes to walk in the sand.

And it was Harry who decided to get rid of this shoes and put his feet in the sand, Sky News reported. After he removed his footwear, Meghan followed suit and handed her espadrilles to her prince on Bondi Beach.

They were there to meet a surfing community group called OneWave and participate in "Fluro Friday."

>> Read more trending news

Credit: Paul Edwards - Pool/Getty Images

Credit: Paul Edwards - Pool/Getty Images

"Fluro Friday" is a time when surfers don neon and flowers to discuss mental health issues, BBC reported.

Prince Harry has been candid about his struggles with depression after his mother, Princess Diana’s, death more than 20 years ago.

"I have probably been very close to a complete breakdown on numerous occasions when all sorts of grief and sort of lies and misconceptions and everything are coming to you from every angle," Harry has said, according to The Guardian.

Harry and Meghan took part in an "anti-bad vibe circle," Insider reported.

One Wave's founder, Grant Trebilco, suffers from bipolar disorder.

And it’s a combination of surfing and talking that get him through his mental health issues.

"The things that really saved me was surfing and the other thing was talking about it," Trebilco told The Guardian. "Two of my closest friends started sharing their stories about depression and I never knew."

Prince Harry, along with Prince William and Kate Middleton, have started their own foundation, Heads Together, to help people deal with mental health.

After the morning session on the beach, Harry and Meghan went to Macarthur Girls High School in Parramatta, Australia, to talk to the students about their social justice project and youth empowerment, The Guardian reported.

After, Harry climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge to raise the flag for the Invictus Games.

Credit: Dominic Lipinski - Pool/Getty Images

Credit: Dominic Lipinski - Pool/Getty Images

Harry founded the games for wounded and sick members of the military. The games will run from Oct. 20 through Oct. 27 in Sydney.

About the Author