A beaming Duke and Duchess of Sussex thrilled thousands of fans outside the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday during their first meeting with the general public since the former Meghan Markle91裸聊视频檚 newly announced pregnancy.
Prince Harry and Meghan spent longer than the 20 minutes allocated in their schedule to speak to and shake hands with as many well-wishers as possible. Meghan, wearing a beige trench coat over a sleeveless cream dress by Australian designer Karen Gee, accepted cards and flowers from an enthusiastic crowd.
The news of the pregnancy was announced after the couple arrived in Sydney on Monday and 15 hours before their first public appearance. The two are on a 16-day tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand that their Kensington Palace staff said would not be altered despite confirmation that the American former actress is pregnant.
Among those taken by surprise by the announcement were their Sydney hosts, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Lynne Cosgrove. The governor-general, who represents Queen Elizabeth II, Australia91裸聊视频檚 head of state and Harry91裸聊视频檚 grandmother, sent staff to hastily buy a toy kangaroo with a joey in its pouch and a tiny pair of Australian sheep skin boots for their pregnant guest.
91裸聊视频淗ere91裸聊视频檚 your first gift for the nursery,91裸聊视频� the governor-general told the couple during a welcome ceremony at his official residence, Admiralty House.
91裸聊视频淭hank you, that91裸聊视频檚 so sweet,91裸聊视频� Meghan said as she received the toy.
The pregnancy has made front-page news across Australia.
The Sydney Morning Herald ran the headline: 91裸聊视频淎 smooth ride to Sydney, but royals reveal bump on the way.91裸聊视频� Darwin91裸聊视频檚 irreverent NT News chose the headline: 91裸聊视频淕inger Pregs91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频� a play on a long-running Australian comic strip about a mischievous red-head boy called 91裸聊视频淕inger Meggs.91裸聊视频�
Outside the Opera House on Tuesday, Harry lingered longest with war widow Daphne Dunne, 98, whom he hugged as they chatted.
Related: Video: Prince Harry and Meghan expecting their 1st child in spring
Related: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to visit Australia, Fiji
It was the third time that they had met since Harry91裸聊视频檚 eye caught sight of a Victoria Cross medal on her chest during a Sydney visit in 2015. She explained that her first husband Albert Chowne had been given the highest award in the British honours system after he died in Papua New Guinea in 1945.
This time, Meghan joined Harry in greeting the Dunne, who admires the prince91裸聊视频檚 work with veterans.
91裸聊视频淥h my goodness, is this Daphne?91裸聊视频� Meghan asked.
Dunne later said Meghan told her 91裸聊视频渟he had heard all about me; she91裸聊视频檚 so beautiful.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淚 wished them well with the baby on the way and said this is what Harry has been waiting for so long,91裸聊视频� Dunne added.
Before Megan donned her coat, her tight-fitting dress barely revealed a bump as they were welcomed at the first event of the day at the Sydney Harbour-side mansion where the two are staying.
The main focus of that engagement was to meet Invictus Games representatives from the 18 countries competing in the event that starts Saturday. The sporting event, founded by Harry in 2014, gives sick and injured military personnel and veterans the opportunity to compete in sports such as wheelchair basketball.
Several of the representatives congratulated the couple on their baby news. Meghan replied: 91裸聊视频淭hank you so much. We are very excited.91裸聊视频�
The couple later travelled by boat to Taronga Park Zoo where they opened a research centre and met two 10-month old koalas that had been named after them.
They watched an indigenous dance company rehearse inside the Opera House before meeting the public.
The announcement of the pregnancy confirms weeks of speculation from royal watchers about why Meghan was not joining Harry on his Sydney Harbor Bridge climb set for Friday.
Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37 91裸聊视频� along with Prince William and his wife, Kate, the duchess of Cambridge 91裸聊视频� have stepped to the fore in the last year as the 92-year-old queen slightly reduces her public schedule.
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McGuirk reported from Canberra, Australia.
Kirsty Wigglesworth And Rod McGuirk, The Associated Press
