Not a dry eye: The moment Dubbo schoolboy charms Harry and Meghan

The second day of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first international royal tour kicked off in the country town of Dubbo, New South Wales.

Whilst the royal couple were greeted by hundreds of locals, there’s no doubt that one particular resident stuck out to them.

Five-year-old schoolboy Luke Vincent, was absolutely overjoyed to meet Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

He’d been waiting for the royal couple for hours, and in a heartwarming moment, the kindergartener dove straight in for a cuddle with Harry as the royal bent down to greet him.

The young boy, who has Down syndrome, was fascinated by the Duke of Sussex’s scruffy beard, and he reached in to touch it before presenting a pregnant Meghan with a some flowers and a hug.

According to Luke’s principal Anne Van Dartel, he “loves” beards.

“Luke’s favourite person is Santa Claus, isn’t it?” she told 7News, to which Luke replied, “Yeah, Santa Claus.”

Principal Van Dartel admitted she was slightly concerned after Luke “jumped up” on Harry, as she was told there was a “no touching” rule around the royals.

“I was very concerned once he started rubbing Prince Harry’s face and his hair, but Prince Harry was completely gracious,” she said. “And was so polite and realised what was happening and his infatuation with his beard.

“We can only thank him so much for treating Luke with such respect.”

The moment was broadcast live on TV and everyone from Luke’s local school – Buninyong Public School – was moved watching it.

“I know that the school was watching it back here and there wasn’t a dry eye in the school while they were watching,” Principal Van Dartel said. “So he’s often the star of the show at school and is now a star of the show all round the world.”

After Luke’s experience with Prince Harry, there was only one question left to ask, who does he prefer more: Harry or Santa Claus?

“Both the same,” he said.

Hearts are melting all over Australia, and the world.

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