Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli has detailed a rather awkward encounter he had with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their Australian visit.
Speaking on his NOVA drive show this week, Wippa told co-hosts Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and Kate Ritchie that he and his wife, Lisa, were invited to attend an exclusive event organised by Nexus Australia.
He said that he and Lisa were two of 50 invited guests at the event, where he spoke about 36 Months – the social media campaign that he fronts, aimed at raising the minimum social media age.
Wippa said that both Harry and Meghan had been briefed about the campaign beforehand and were keen to chat to him about the initiative.
‘What I was really flattered about was… they had been briefed on 36 months and they really liked it and wanted to talk further about it,’ he said.
‘Before they arrived, two of their people arrived and one of them said Harry wants to talk about 36 Months.’
Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli has detailed a rather awkward encounter he had with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their Australian visit
Speaking on his NOVA drive show this week, Wippa told co-hosts Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and Kate Ritchie that he and his wife, Lisa were invited to attend an exclusive event organised by Nexus Australia
Wippa added that after being utterly impressed by Harry and Meghan’s public speaking skills at the event, he got to meet Harry one-on-one.
‘When I met him, it was almost like he knew who I was in that he’d been worded up by his people,’ Wippa explained.
‘It was a very friendly greeting so he was: “Hey mate, great to meet you,” and I naturally said: “Harry, how are you?”‘
Both Fitzy and Kate were taken aback by the informality of Wippa’s greeting, but he assured his co-hosts that it was fine in the context.
However, he admitted to possibly overstepping the mark when he asked Harry for his phone number.
‘I don’t want to say that I said: “We should exchange numbers”, it was more like: “We should keep chatting”, and I think I had my phone in my hand because I had been referencing something, and so it looked like I was saying: “Hey. What’s your number?”‘ he said.
‘When he saw me… he then signalled to the lady who was his EA or whatever – and he said: “Can we exchange details over here?” so we can keep chatting.’
Wippa said that despite the exchanging of contact details, he has not heard from Harry since their brief exchange.
Wippa admitted to possibly overstepping the mark when he asked Harry for his phone number
‘I don’t want to say that I said: “We should exchange numbers”, it was more like: “We should keep chatting”, and I think I had my phone in my hand because I had been referencing something, and so it looked like I was saying: “Hey. What’s your number?”‘ he said
‘I think they loved meeting me, I think we got on really well,’ he said.
‘I’ve emailed the contact he gave me and she hasn’t replied yet – it’s been three days and three emails but I’m sure, any day now.’
The awkwardness didn’t stop there, with Wippa admitting that both he and Lisa were so taken by Meghan’s command of the stage and effervescent personality, that they could not help stealing a kiss from the Duchess.
‘She was so warm and embracing,’ Wippa swooned. ‘It was a hug and a kiss goodbye.’
Like his interaction with Harry, Kate and Fitzy were equally shocked by the familiarity Wippa displayed towards Meghan.
‘Did you kiss her?’ Kate asked and, when Wippa replied in the affirmative, Fitzy also chimed in.
‘That’s not protocol, mate,’ he said.
‘That’s going outside the square. That’s like touching Vladimir Putin on the shoulder.’
Wippa brushed off the suggestions, claiming there was no awkwardness whatsoever.
‘She was walking out the door, Lisa gave her a hug and they said goodbye,’ he said.
The awkwardness didn’t stop there, with Wippa admitting that both he and Lisa (pictured) were so taken by Meghan’s command of the stage and effervescent personality, that they could not help stealing a kiss from the Duchess
‘She was walking out the door, Lisa gave her a hug and they said goodbye,’ he said. ‘She [Meghan] came to me and went to give me a hug so I just gave her a kiss on the cheek, like I would anyone else’
‘That’s not protocol, mate,’ Fitzy replied. ‘That’s going outside the square. That’s like touching Vladimir Putin on the shoulder.’
‘She [Meghan] came to me and went to give me a hug so I just gave her a kiss on the cheek, like I would anyone else.’
Elsewhere in the chat, Wippa revealed that he and Lisa paid for the privilege of being in the same room as Harry and Meghan, despite being invited guests.
‘When you say invited, do you mean invited but you bought a ticket?’ Kate asked.
‘I made a donation,’ Wippa explained.
‘I got an invitation to meet Harry and Meghan along with 50 people and there was a donation involved.’
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