Prince Harry and Meghan charm Fiji after jam-packed Aussie tour
A RADIANT Meghan Markle has displayed her growing baby bump in a stunning designer gown at a state banquet in Fiji with Prince Harry.
A RADIANT Meghan Markle has displayed her growing baby bump at a state banquet hosted by Fijian President Jioji Konrote.
The Duchess of Sussex dazzled in diamonds and a full length cape blue dress by designer SAFiYAA at the black tie state dinner.
Her outfit, worn with her hair down, was by German-born London-based designer Daniela Karmuts.
The glowing Meghan tenderly cradled her baby bump as she entered the champagne reception ahead of the dinner at the Grand Pacific hotel, where the Queen also stayed in 1953.
Guests, including politicians, diplomats, local business leaders and the cream of Fijian society.
The hotel has hosted a number of royal visits including the Queen five times in 1963, 1970, 1973, 1977 and 1982 while her son, Prince Charles in 1970, 1985 and 2005.
Prince Andrew visited in 1998 while the last was Princess Anne in 2006.
In his dinner speech peppered with humour, Prince Harry said it was a “great pleasure for Meghan and me to be your guests” during their first Fiji visit.
He said it was “particularly nostalgic for us as a young married couple” after his grandparents stayed in the hotel numerous times.
He told the crowd: “We were overwhelmed by the warm Fijian welcome we received from the people of these beautiful islands this afternoon in Albert Park, and all the way from the airport. It really is a privilege to be here.”
He said had a “long tradition of welcoming royal visitors over the years and our two countries have enjoyed a close relationship and friendship”.
“We share Commonwealth values and common goals – a love of rugby and a sense of humour,” he said. “Our ties run deep.”
He said more than 1250 Fijian soldiers served with British troops, having first started during the two World Wars.
“I must emphasise my respect, admiration and camaraderie with the Fijian soldiers that I served with in Afghanistan,” he said.
“We trained together, we fought together, and most importantly we laughed together.”
He also channelled his father’s environmental passion, paying tribute to Fiji’s sustainable tourism development and social enterprises.
“The health and sustainability of this planet depends on the younger generation, and they are full of optimism so let’s listen to them,” he said.
“All over the world Fiji is renowned for its incredible natural beauty and hospitality.
“We, as a couple, feel very lucky to be spending part of our tour as your guests.”
Earlier, the Fijian President paid tribute to the Duke’s mother, the late Princess Diana.
He said he was sure she would be “proud of the man” he had become and that he had found happiness and love with Meghan.
Earlier, Harry and Meghan received a traditional ceremonial welcome when flew in from Sydney. .
A group of men dressed in traditional Fijian attire were snapped carrying a large roasted pig in Albert Park, ahead of the royal pair’s arrival.
They were greeted with a traditional ceremonial welcome once they’d reached the park, with the wet weather not dampening the enthusiasm of thousands who turned out to see them.
The “welcome ceremony”, known as Veirqaraqaravi Vakavanua, “embodied Fijian cultural identity and heritage” and “mirrored” a similar 1953 visit attended by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, according to a Kensington Palace spokesman.
The Albert Park marked the first official engagement of their Fiji visit, before moving to a reception and dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel where Prince Harry is expected to deliver a speech. The evening will be hosted by the President of Fiji.
As rain swept over the park in a “blessing”, the newlyweds were treated to several traditional dances, offered a roast pig and whale’s tooth before drinking Kava on a central stage.
Cheers broke out as Prince Harry addressed the crowd briefly.
“Thank you President, and you, the people of Fiji for the warm welcome you have given us here today” the Prince said.
“The Duchess and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible over the next two days.”
To more thunderous cheers from the patient crowd, who arrived early after businesses shut early, they returned to the Grand Pacific Hotel for a balcony wave.
After touching down at Nausori Airport, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were greeted by a Guard of Honour as people attempted to catch a glimpse of the royal couple from fields near the runway.
The Duke and Duchess emerged from the Qantas flight having ditched their casual clothes for a more formal look. The Duchess wore an elegant off-white midi dress by Australian label Zimmerman, and a Stephen Jones hat paired with slingback black heels and a matching clutch. Harry donned a grey suit and tie, complete with medal for Afghanistan Operational Service along and the Elizabeth II Golden Jubillee and Diamond Jubilee, which commemorate five years’ armed forces service.
The royal duo were introduced to Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainamara and his wife Maria, with a flower girl handing the Duchess a bouquet of beautiful blooms.
Among those hoping to see the Duke and Duchess was retired schoolteacher Nanise Naerecoko.
She told the Fiji Times she wanted to pay to her son, who left for the UK to join the British Army in 2007. She has not seen him since.
“I am here just to get a glimpse and pay homage to my son since he serves in the British army,” she told the Fiji Times.
And while the wind and rain didn’t damped the spirits of those in attendance, it did cause some problems for the red carpet.
The couple, who married in May and are expecting a child in the British spring, wowed Australian crowds with their relaxed demeanour and public displays of love. The pair also have a private audience with King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau‘u as well as the President.
They are the first royals to visit Fiji since Princess Anne’s trip in 2006 and after Prince Albert and George — later King George V — first visited in September 1881.
During a packed three day South Pacific Islands program, the couple will experience “rich Fijian culture and generous hospitality”, their spokesman said.
After visiting Fiji, they travel to Tonga and New Zealand.
Wednesday’s Fiji events include a War Memorial wreath laying ceremony, a trip to the Pacific’s oldest high school, Tupou College, which was founded by a British missionary in 1866 and Suva markets visit.
A local political row has erupted over the trip’s timing just three weeks before a general election.
Their itinerary remains under review, however, after a pregnant Duchess, 37, was forced to cut back official Australian events as she battles jet lag and exhaustion.
While aides have “paced” her activities, senior Fiji Government sources said there were no immediate plans to scale back events.
Palace officials took medical advice before travelling to Fiji and Tonga amid a “moderate risk” from the zika virus, which is harmful to unborn babies.
The US-born actor, Meghan, who has publicly held a tiny baby bump, is believed to be 14 weeks pregnant.
Her husband of five months, 34, has urged her to rest as “being pregnant takes its toll”.
During their 16-day tour the self-deprecating couple, who have spoken openly about starting a family, have at least 76 engagements.
Their baby news was announced at the tour’s start in Sydney, where they opened Invictus Games more than a year since their public outing as a couple at the event in Toronto.
The couple’s popularity was laid bare as thousands flocked to Melbourne, Dubbo in NSW and Fraser Island in Queensland during which they have spoken candidly about a range of issues.
A source close to the couple told News Corp during the tour how they were “loving their time in Australia”.