Meghan Markle and Hannah Sergel finally embrace: Duchess hugs student she helped through mental health battles

Olivia Tobin31 October 2018

This is the heartwarming moment an astonished Meghan Markle came face to face with a girl who she gave support to over the struggles she faced with her mental health.

A stunned Meghan bumped into her old friend, Hannah Sergel, who she spotted in a crowd at the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland, on the country's North Island yesterday.

The pair had previously messaged one another on Instagram, with Meghan sending the 20-year-old a video clip supporting her.

Hannah, who had spoken about her battles with her mental health on Instagram, was left in tears of joy when the Duchess recognised her amongst the large crowd in Auckland.

Hannah Sergel was among the huge crowd that turned out to greet Meghan and Prince Harry at the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland
@bellisariho/Twitter

Their meeting on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal tour is the first time they have met.

After spotting Hannah, the duchess rushed over to meet and hug her.

To get Meghan’s attention, Hannah held a sign which read “It’s Hannah from Instagram”.

When confiding in the duchess, Hannah said Meghan would encourage her to carry on her studies at university.

Hannah told 1 News: “I was friends with her on Instagram before she had to deactivate her account. We used to have conversations and stuff on there.

“She would tell me to do well at university and encourage me to be myself.”

Hannah presented the duchess a letter after her meeting, which Meghan said she would read, she said.

Meghan, holding Hannah's letter
PA

Hannah had flown across the country to meet Meghan and had tweeted about her nerves in excitement of coming face to face with her.

She said: "I'm the sixth person here, they haven't even set up the barriers yet, I'm SO nervous, oh my god, but it's not raining right now."

The student added that she had waited hours to get a glimpse of her idol, who she said she had been in touch with since January 2016.

Friends and well-wishers of Hannah's said: "So happy for you! What a moment to treasure forever."

Another said: "What a special moment, I'm very happy for you."

While at the Viaduct Harbour, Prince Harry also made a young fan's day and had a meaningful meeting too.

The duke of Sussex had a heartwarming moment with a six-year-old boy, Otia Nante, who like Harry, had also lost his mother.

When Harry approached the schoolboy, his grandmother told him that Otia's mum had passed away and said: "He really looks up to you, because he actually lost his mummy too."

Comforting the youngster, Harry said: "Life will always be alright, you know that? I've made it to 34 years old, and life is great.

"I have a beautiful wife and a baby on the way. Your life is going to be sorted. Don't you worry about that."

Harry then complimented Otia's grandmother, who is raising him.

"You're doing a great job, Nan. Nan's are so important in our lives."

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