The Duchess of Sussex has shown off her blossoming baby bump as she stepped out for the first time following the announcement she is expecting her first child.
Meghan Markle opted for a figure-hugging white dress by Australian designer Karen Gee, while Harry opted for a navy suit.
Fashion expert Donny Galella told New Idea that Meghan looked “spectacular in white, positively glowing”.
“Very her style, effortless chic. Apparently it’s $1800,” he added
The couple had a meeting with the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lynn, Lady Cosgrove during their first engagement of the day.
Admiralty house is the official Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia, the Queen’s official representative in the country of which she is still head of state. It is located in the suburb of Kirribilli, on the northern foreshore of Sydney Harbour.
Its name originated from the fact that it served as the residence for the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Navy’s Australia Squadron from 1885 to 1913.
The couple started by walking down the veranda to view the flags of each of the Invictus countries taking part. When congratulated by the media on their happy news, Harry smiled shyly and said “thanks”.
They also accepted good wishes from dignitaries including the Premier of New South Wales, the Hon Gladys Berejiklan MP. “Thank you, that’s very kind,” said Meghan.
The couple posed for a photograph on the croquet lawn with the Governor General and his wife with the magnificent backdrop of Sydney Opera House behind them. The duchess, who hasn’t been to Australia before, marvelled at the view.
The foursome were then joined by the Invictus representatives for another group photograph and chatted with them for a few minutes before walking into the house to sign the visitor’s book.
Harry sat down first, followed by Meghan, and the prince watched on proudly as his wife, a former calligrapher, signed with a flourish.
Inside the mansion’s sitting room, the couple immediately spied a large cuddly kangaroo sitting on the table with, appropriately, a Joey in its pouch.
They laughed as they saw it, Meghan exclaiming: “That’s so cute, our first baby gift!”
“There you are,” said Sir Peter, as Harry leant forward to examine the Joey.
“And this is your second,” the Governor-General continued, as his wife handed the prince a pair of tiny Ugg boots.
“Very Australian Ugg boots,” said Lady Cosgrove.
“These are awesome,” said Harry as he posed for the cameras holding them.
The couple were also handed a pair of traditional Australian wife-brimmed Australian Akubras hats as a belated wedding gift.
“When you go to Dubbo you’ll see some of these,” said Sir Peter.
“Thank you so much,” said Meghan.
The four then sat down for a half hour official meeting.
“Your Royal Highnesses, welcome to Australia,” said Sir Peter, ‘may we on behalf of all Australians congratulate you both on the announcement that you are expecting a baby. We are delighted, it’s amazing, and I know that the people who are already excited to see you will just be enthralled by the fact of this wonderful news.”
Next, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were introduced to their koala namesakes and a “stud” of a short-legged echidna, as they admired the “so cute” wildlife of Taronga Zoo.
At the zoo, Meghan and Harry were given a toy koala and joey and Meghan said they would put them in the nursery!
The Duchess – who remained in the white Karen Gee dress she wore earlier in the day, but this time accessorised with a beige coat – called the animals “so, so sweet”, shyly named Ruby who sat sleepily on a lower branch in the small, open koala enclosure.
The Duke was more forthcoming, reaching to pet the koala with the encouragement of keepers, and admiring their healthy coats and quizzing keeper Suzie MacNamara about their diet and sleeping habits.
The couple were also shown wallabies and quokkas in their enclosures, leaning on the zoo’s low fences to admire them and watch them being fed.
Accompanied by the premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian, they spent around five minutes with the koalas, Ruby and Wattle, whose joeys were named Meghan and Harry as a wedding gift from the people of the region.
After their trip to the zoo, the royal couple headed to Sydney Opera House where they took part in a walkabout.
Thousands of well-wishers lined the area and the couple were given soft toys and other gifts, while members of the crowd waves Australian flags.
The couple’s visit to Australia coincides with the Invictus Games, which start in Sydney on 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.
Harry and Meghan will attend the games’ opening and closing ceremonies. In all, they have 76 engagements scheduled over 16 days in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.
MORE TO COME
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