Royal Tour, Day 8: Meghan and Prince Harry wave goodbye to Oz — temporarily

THE Duchess of Sussex oozed Hollywood glamour as she stepped out in a floor-length blue gown. And her baby bump is suddenly a lot more obvious.

MEGHAN Markle oozed Hollywood glamour in a full length blue dress as she attended a state banquet in Fiji with Prince Harry.

The Duchess of Sussex wore a cape gown by English brand SAFIYAA with the dress’s colour, Fijian blue, a nod to their host country.

The pregnant royal clutched her growing baby bump as she and Harry said hello to Fijian President Jioji Konrote.

Meghan cradled her bump as she arrived at the event. Picture: Ian Vogler

The Duchess was glowing. Picture: Ian Vogler

The former actress wore her hair out in loose curls and accessorised her outfit with diamond drop earrings thought to be loaned to her by the Queen.

I also note that Meghan’s baby bump is getting bigger by the day! I swear it was not this big last week! I think it’s the clinging nature of the dress but she’s sure looking swell! 👼🏻👶🏼

— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) October 23, 2018

Prince Harry looked dashing as he accompanied his wife in a black tuxedo complete with medals.

The royal couple made a glamorous entrance. Picture: Ian Vogler

Meghan and Harry say hello to Fijian President Jioji Konrote. Picture: Ian Vogler

Harry looked dapper in a black tuxedo. Picture: Ian Vogler

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have used their trip to the Pacific nation so far to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who first visited the country in 1953.

The royal couple emerged from their plane after an in-flight costume change, with Meghan wearing a long-sleeved cream dress by Australian label Zimmerman and matching headpiece, and Prince Harry a grey suit and military medals.

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex disembark from their plane on their arrival in Fiji. Picture: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

Meghan wore a Zimmerman dress, Stephen Jones hat, earrings gifted from the Queen and a bracelet from Princes Charles, and the same Aquazurra pumps we’ve seen her in earlier this week. Picture: Samir Hussein

The Duchess’s earrings were a gift from the Queen and the bracelet she wore was given to her by Prince Charles. Picture: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

Meghan is wearing earrings gifted from the Queen, and a bracelet that was given to her by Prince Charles, for the formal arrival.

The route from the airport into Suva, about 40km, was lined with people hoping to catch a glimpse of their royal highnesses.

It’s expected about 15,000 locals attended a traditional welcome ceremony for Prince Harry and Meghan despite the rain.

Harry and Meghan arrive at the welcome ceremony. Picture: Chris Jackson

Harry gave a short speech thanking Fiji for their warm welcome, with The Sun’s royal correspondent Emily Andrews reporting the crowd “went wild” when Harry greeted onlookers with “Bula”.

The Duke of Sussex was also cheered when he drank kava, a local Fijian drink.

Bula! Prince Harry drinks the traditional Fijian drink of kava at the official welcome ceremony in Suva. Picture: Chris Jackson

Prince Harry is presented with a gift and the Kava at the welcome ceremony. Picture: Chris Jackson

Meghan claps with delight as Harry downs the kava.

Harry told the crowd he wanted to meet as many of them as possible, and extend the “close relationship” between the UK and Fiji.

His comments were greeted with loud cheers from the pumped up crowd, who weren’t put off at all by heavy rain that increased as he spoke.

🇫🇯 Bula Fiji! #RoyalVisitFiji pic.twitter.com/6iUnfDU9a2

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 23, 2018

Fans flocked by the side of the road to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Meghan and Harry sat on a raised platform for the ceremony. Picture: Chris Jackson

We’re guessing pork was on the menu....Traditional Fijian men carry a roasted pig in Alberts Park ahead of the royals arrival.

The welcome party for Meghan and Harry.

Following the ceremony Harry and Meghan headed by car to their accommodation for the night, the Grand Pacific Hotel, waving to well wishers from their hotel balcony before heading inside.

The hotel is same place where Queen Elizabeth stayed in 1953 for her first visit.

Harry and Meghan on the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva on day one of their tour of Fiji. Picture Nathan Edwards

Amazing scenes as the couple arrive at the Grand Pacific hotel #RoyalVisitFiji pic.twitter.com/HpnVu2pNI2

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) October 23, 2018

In another tribute to the Queen, Fijian media are also reporting Harry will the same shovel used by his grandmother in 1953 to plant a dakua seedling.

Prince Harry will use the shovel to plant a dakua (Agathis macrophylla) seedling. https://t.co/0T0CfiocMI #royalvisitfiji @KensingtonRoyal @ukinfiji pic.twitter.com/5hsoEn4Jtm

— Fiji Sun (@sun_fiji) October 22, 2018

Meghan’s ‘Diana moment’ stuns

Where Meghan and Harry were hiding out on Fraser Island

Harry and Meghan: The chaos you don’t see

Earlier today, they were pictured leaving Queensland’s Fraser Island, arriving at Hervey Bay marina en route to Hervey Bay airport. Both appeared to be enjoying a rare ‘day off’ during the trip, dressed down in shirts, pants and sunglasses:

The couple arrive at the Great Sandy Straits Marina, Hervey Bay. Photographer: Liam Kidston

It has been a jam-packed trip so far for the newlyweds, who revealed the ultimate surprise when they announced their pregnancy upon landing in Sydney.

After a gruelling week of engagements, the duchess cut back on some planned appearances on Sunday so she could rest.

However, she bounced back on Monday to join the duke on Queensland’s Fraser Island.

Meghan spent most of the day at a luxury resort, avoiding the bumpy terrain Harry needed to traverse on the world’s largest sand island to carry out his official engagements.

They’re on their way to Fiji and Tonga. Photographer: Liam Kidston

Harry was there to unveil a plaque adding the holiday destination’s 83,757 hectares of pristine rainforests to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project.

He went barefoot in the sacred waters of Lake McKenzie and was briefed by Butchulla elders about the ancestral significance of various sites across the island, known as K’gari.

“I think he was blown away … the size of the timbers we took him to, the beauty of the lakes, you know, talking with our songman, our rangers, and hearing it from both points of view on things he had not thought about,” Aunty Nai Nai said.

Pregnant Meghan has cut back on some of her official duties. Picture: Annette Dew

Land and sea rangers and dancers who met the duke told of a mutual respect, acknowledging the significance of his visit to their land and new understanding of traditional Butchulla practices.

The royal couple later reunited for an afternoon stroll along the island’s Kingfisher Bay jetty, delighting locals.

The duchess is expected to be by her husband’s side at all their planned engagements in Fiji and Tonga.

Their 16-day tour will head to New Zealand on Sunday. Picture: Annette Dew

In the meantime, Harry’s Invictus Games for wounded defence veterans continues in Sydney.

The duke and duchess are expected to catch some of the final events when they return on Friday.

They are due to jet off to New Zealand on Sunday for the last stops on their 16-day tour.

The couple board their flight out of Australia. Picture: AAP

Meghan waves goodbye to Oz — but she’ll be back soon. Picture: AAP

With AAP