Packed itinerary was an understatement. As part of their first joint tour as a royal couple, expectant parents Meghan Markle and Prince Harry maintained an incredibly busy 16-day schedule with nonstop appearances through Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand.
During their two-week trip, the couple managed to charm the world with numerous adorably affectionate moments, like that time when Markle thoughtfully held an umbrella for her husband while he delivered a speech. In another moment, Prince Harry reacted hilariously when a fan offered his wife a larger-than-life bouquet.
The Knot rounds up the cutest couple moments from the royal tour down under.
A Royal Hand Hold
The couple started their tour with a hand hold as they arrived to the Admiralty House in Sydney on October 16.
Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry at Admiralty House, Sydney
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex tour of Australia – 16 Oct 2018
The Duke and Duchess receive a welcome to Admiralty House by His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, Governor- General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove. Their Royal Highnesses will meet representatives from each of the eighteen Invictus Games countries, before signing the Visitors Book, followed by an official call with the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove. (Credit: Photo by REX/Shutterstock )
Toys for Mom and Dad
Upon their arrival in Australia, the couple was greeted by Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, and his wife, from whom they received welcome gifts, including the traditional Akubra hats native to the region. One particularly adorable snapshot from the visit was of the couple receiving a plush stuffed kangaroo from Cosgrove.
Markle was dressed in a sleeveless, brilliant white sheath dress paired with a trench coat while Prince Harry looked dapper in a tailored navy suit. The couple’s PDA, which is quite common despite royal protocol, was again and adorably on full display as they greeted fans and followers.
Prince Harry, Sir Peter Cosgrove and Meghan Duchess of Sussex at Admiralty House, Sydney
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex tour of Australia – 16 Oct 2018
The Duke and Duchess receive a welcome to Admiralty House by His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, Governor- General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove. Their Royal Highnesses will meet representatives from each of the eighteen Invictus Games countries, before signing the Visitors Book, followed by an official call with the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove. (Credit: Photo by REX/Shutterstock)
A Trip to the Zoo
The couple stopped by the Taronga Zoo on the 16th of October for a scheduled appearance with young students and park creatures like koalas and yellow-bellied gliders. Markle received a beautiful bouquet from a child as she and her husband both dropped down to greet the kids from an eye-level perspective.
After the zoo visit, the couple made their way over to watch an Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander dance organization known as Bangarra Dance to witness a special performance.
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex, meet Ruby a mother Koala who gave birth to koala joey Meghan, named after Her Royal Highness, with a second joey named Harry after His Royal Highness during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are on a 16-day tour of Australia and the South Pacific.
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex Tour of Australia, Day 1, Sydney – 15 Oct 2018 (Credit: Photo by Dean Lewins/REX/Shutterstock)
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex receive native flowers from Finley Blue and Dasha Gallagher, left, at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia
Britain Royals, Sydney, Australia – 16 Oct 2018
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are on a 16-day tour of Australia and the South Pacific (Credit: Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/REX/Shutterstock)
Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry at the Bangarra Dance Company viewing a rehearsal at the Sydney Opera House of Spirit 2018 by the Bangarra Dance Theatre, an internationally acclaimed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander modern dance company.
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex tour of Australia – 16 Oct 2018 (Credit: Photo by Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)
Meeting Harry’s 98-Year-Old “Girlfriend”
The pair completed their visit on October 16 with a stop by the Sydney Opera House where they met fans and spectators and enjoyed a walk along the Western Boardwalk. It was during that particular portion of their site visit that Prince Harry greeted an especially devoted follower named Daphne Dunne, age 98, who previously met the royal in 2015 and in 2017.
Markle already had heard of Dunne and walked up to the two and said, “Oh my goodness. Is this Daphne?”
Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry greet Daphne Dunn in Sydney
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex tour of Australia – 16 Oct 2018 (Mandatory Credit: Photo by REX/Shutterstock)
Hold My Hand
While enjoying a stroll through Sydney, the Duke and the Duchess resolutely held hands as they descended down a set of stairs. For that particular appearance, Markle chose a pair of delicate butterfly earrings that belonged to the late Princess Diana.
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Duchess of Sussex, arrive for a ‘meet the people walk’ at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex tour Australia, Sydney – 16 Oct 2018
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a 3-week tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji and are in Sydney to launch the 2018 Invictus Games, an Olympic-style event for disabled and ill service people. (Credit: Photo by JOEL CARRETT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry in Sydney
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex tour of Australia – 16 Oct 2018 (Credit: Photo by Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock)
Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, hold hands as they walk inside after posing for a photograph with Australia’s Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove and representatives of the participating countries of the Invictus Games during a welcome event at Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia, 16 October 2018. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a 3-week tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji and are in Sydney to launch the 2018 Invictus Games, an Olympic-style event for disabled and ill service people. As the couple arrived in Australia, they announced that the Duchess of Sussex is pregnant and they are expecting a child next spring.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex tour Australia, Sydney – 16 Oct 2018 (Credit: Photo by STEVE CHRISTO/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
Under Her Umbrella
The couple shared yet another sweet moment during a rainy afternoon in Dubbo, Australia, on October 17. While visiting Victoria Park for a community celebration BBQ picnic, rain foiled much of the scheduled activities planned for that day. However, Harry still delivered a speech in the rain–and Markle followed him up to the stage to shield him with her umbrella.
When the Mayor of Dubbo offered his umbrella to the Duke, Harry simply replied: “It’s alright. I’ve got my wife.”
Prince Harry addresses the crowd as Meghan Duchess of Sussex holds an umbrella for him during a Dubbo community BBQ in Victoria Park
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex tour of Australia – 17 Oct 2018
The Duke and Duchess travel to Victoria Park to join people from Dubbo and the surrounding areas for a BBQ picnic in the park to celebrate community spirit within the region. His Royal Highness gave an address as well. (Credit: Photo by Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex attend a Dubbo community BBQ in Victoria Park
Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex tour of Australia – 17 Oct 2018
The Duke and Duchess travel to Victoria Park to join people from Dubbo and the surrounding areas for a BBQ picnic in the park to celebrate community spirit within the region. His Royal Highness gave an address as well. (Credit: Photo by Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)
A Double Hand Hold
Markle and Harry stopped by Melbourne for an official engagement on October 18, where the couple was spotted by an eagle-eyed fan with a double hand hold. While already holding hands, Prince Harry then pulled his other hand around his back to gently clasp Markle’s hand.
His Biggest Fan
In preparation of the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony on October 20, Prince Harry took to the stage to practice his speech inside the Sydney Opera House… for an audience of one. Kensington Palace posted a behind-the-scenes snapshot of Markle watching her husband from the front row earlier that day.
Seas the Day
The couple watched teams compete from sea on October 21, both coordinating outfits in more casual attire with Markle in sneakers and her husband in slacks.
One especially eager fan joined the Duke and the Duchess of Sussex on their boat and even delivered a big embrace to Prince Harry. “Now that’s a hug!” Markle laughed.
Regal in Blue
The pair attended an official state dinner hosted by the President of Fiji with Markle clad in brilliant blue caped gown and her husband in a sleek tuxedo.
A Balcony Moment
During a visit to the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji, the Duke and the Duchess greeted the public assembled around Albert Park from the central balcony of the property on October 23.
SUVA, FIJI – OCTOBER 23: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex acknowledge the the public gathered around Albert Park from the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Chase
An unofficial royals account on social media revealed a rather adorable moment when a devoted fan chased down the Duke and the Duchess of Sussex with a massive size bouquet on their first day in Australia.
Upon receipt, Markle thanked the fan from the crowd while her husband joked: “You can’t give flowers that big to my wife. What’s that all about?” Watch the sweet moment below.
A State Dinner… Or a Wedding?
Markle wore a wedding worthy gown by Theia during an audience with King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u at the Consular House in Nuku’alofa.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits the Consular House in NukuÕalofa for a private audience with King Tupou VI and Queen NanasipauÕu on October 25, 2018 in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage)
A Forest Finale
The beautiful pair ended their tour by holding hands in Rotorua, New Zealand, during a breathtaking walk through the Redwoods.
ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 31: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit Redwoods Tree Walk on October 31, 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on the final day of their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth – Pool/Getty Images)
This was the couple’s first joint tour following their May 19 wedding. The palace announced the pregnancy on the first day of the tour, after the couple attended Princess Eugenie’s wedding on Friday, October 12. Kensington Palace announced they will welcome their first child together sometime next spring.
Follow along with The Knot as we cover more sweet moments from the couple’s tour. Secure your ideal wedding vision by starting with The Knot’s Style Quiz, here.
