Royal tour of Fiji: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘escape to luxury island resort’
THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly headed to a remote Fijian island for a private getaway after Meghan’s earlier security scare at a crowded market.
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THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly escaped to a remote Fijian island for a private getaway after Meghan’s earlier security scare at a crowded market.
Local speculation suggested they headed to a luxury private resort in the Lau group of islands, north east of main island.
The reported break comes after a hectic day which saw Meghan rushed out of an official engagement amid security concerns.
A Kensington Palace spokeswoman declined to comment when asked about any island visit.
Earlier, the Duchess of Sussex visited the Suva Market, where she spent about half of her allocated 15 minutes, before she was whisked away by security personnel concerned by the dark, confined space and large turnout.
A Kensington Palace spokeswoman said her visit was cut short due to crowd management issues.
“She met everyone she was meant to meet and left,” a royal aide told the Press Association.
“On advice she was taken out due to crowd management issues.”
Meghan managed to meet with some of the female vendors at the market who have been involved in the UN Women’s project “Markets for Change.”
MEGHAN BREAKS SILENCE WITH SPEECH
Earlier, the Duchess stepped out in her most bold outfit yet, where she gave an impassioned speech about the importance of education for women.
Greeting crowds with the traditional greeting “bula”, she announced two grants for the Fiji National University and the University of the South Pacific, allowing each of them to run workshops to empower their female staff.
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She revealed her own personal experiences of struggling to afford education fees but said studying made her feel “pride and excitement”, in what was her first speech of the couple’s royal tour, which includes Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.
“The journey of higher education is an incredible, impressive, inspirational and pivotal one,” the Duchess said.
“Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to receive the education they want, but more importantly the education they have the right to receive.
“And for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital. Providing them with access to education is the key to economic and social development.
“Because when girls are given the right tools to succeed, they can create incredible futures, not only for themselves but also for those around them.
“My husband Harry and I, wish you all the very best of luck as you continue your studies and work. Your efforts now will help to make a positive future for each of you and your communities at large — congratulations to you all.”
The Duke and Duchess also watched a performance by the Oceania Dance Theatre.
Meghan’s visit to the Suva market afterwards was cut short amid chaotic scenes as thousands of locals crammed every vantage spot to see the royal.
It is understood authorities were not expecting the numbers of people at the market and cut short the visit over security concerns.
Several female market vendors are involved in the Market for Change program, which Australian taxpayers fund 80 per cent of through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Prince Harry headed to Colo-i-Suva Forest Park after the couple separated for their next engagements. There, the Duke announced the forest would become part of the Queen’s Canopy, a network of Commonwealth conservation programs.
A pregnant Meghan, 37, wore a pink maxi dress by European designer Figue, which is priced about $A2,290, paired with wedges and a clutch.
Prince Harry attended the National War Memorial in Fiji for a wreath laying ceremony earlier this morning.
The Duke of Sussex, who served in the British army, was at the ceremony in Suva on his own as his pregnant wife rested while she recovered from jet lag and exhaustion.
Dressed in the tropical dress uniform of the Blues and Royals regiment, Harry also spoke to various armed forces and law enforcement officials.
The Duke walked a special red carpet before saluting to the national anthem and The Last Post.
He also met the Australian Defence Advisor Commander Andrew Nelson in the line up, who told News Corp that the Duke asked him how long he had served and how he was enjoying his term in Fiji.
“I said ‘How could you not enjoy living in Fiji”.
He said the Duke would have asked many soldiers about where and when they served, especially in peacekeeping.
“Fiji soldiers have done a lot of peacekeeping deployments around the world,” he said after the ceremony.
The Duchess of Sussex will embark on her first solo event when she heads to the British High Commissioner’s Residence for morning tea, before going to the Suva Market to learn more about a UN Women’s project.
On Thursday, the royal couple will travel to the city of Nadi in Western Fiji, where they will attend a special event at Nadi Airport.
After an official welcome ceremony, The Duke and Duchess will unveil a new statue commemorating Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba.
Harry and Meghan 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.
Their itinerary remains under review, however, after Meghan, 37, was forced to cut back official Australian events.
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”.
Originally published as Royal tour of Fiji: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘escape to luxury island resort’