Meghan’s secret breaks: pregnancy breathers on hectic royal tour

ON A hectic Australian royal tour, the pregnant Meghan Markle is taking secret little breaks invisible to the excited public.

THE royal tour is at such a hectic pace it would exhaust anyone, let alone a three-month pregnant woman carrying the precious cargo of the Queen’s next great-grandchild.

But behind the warm smile and energetic enthusiasm she is pouring into her first royal tour, Meghan Markle is sensibly caring for her and Harry’s first child.

The Duchess of Sussex has built secret rest breaks into the dizzying schedule she and Prince Harry have stuck to in the first three days of their Down Under visit.

On day one of the tour at the Opera House, after running 20 minutes late for their descent of the grand steps, Meghan and Harry were whisked away with security saying she was “unwell and needed a rest”.

Asked about the Duchess of Sussex’s health, a media representative on the ground in Sydney told news.com.au it was “nothing” and that Prince Harry’s wife was perfectly all right.

Meghan has taken secret breaks on her hectic royal tour, on which the three months’ pregnant Duchess of Sussex has looked relaxed and happy. Picture: Steve Christo

Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in Dubbo, where she took a couple of breathers. Picture: Dean Lewins

Meghan meets Mabel in Melbourne on day three.

Meghan holds the umbrella for husband Harry as he delivers his passionate speech about mental health under teeming rain in Dubbo. Picture: Peter Parks

On day two, however, after arriving at Dubbo airport, meeting schoolchildren and then Royal Flying Doctor Service patients, volunteers and staff, the royals vanished out of the back of the hangar.

Asked where the couple was, their representatives told news.com.au the duke and duchess were just “having a break”, for about 15 minutes.

Next they were whisked off to the sheep and cattle farm outside Dubbo, where Meghan memorably presented the banana bread she had baked in Admiralty House’s archaic kitchens.

Running late for the community walk among a buzzing throng of country locals at Dubbo’s Victoria Park, the royals arrived just as lightning struck and the heavens opened.

Prince Harry could be seen clutching an umbrella and his wife with a strong arm around her as they stood beneath an umbrella with the rain teeming down.

It was then Meghan’s turn, with the diminutive duchess in her high-heeled black suede boots holding the brollie above her tall husband’s head as he delivered his speech about men’s mental health.

Expectant parents Meghan and Harry are embraced by Luke Vincent, 5, in Dubbo. Picture: Phil Noble

Meghan tries a bit of Aussie Rules in Melbourne on day three of her busy tour. Picture: Julian Smith

With time against them, the royals took off for a slightly abbreviated walk among the locals in the park.

And then they “disappeared” again, for about 20 minutes, before reappearing to take off in the royal motorcade on the fifth and final Dubbo stop, to meet indigenous students at Dubbo College Girls’ Academy.

The Royal Australian Airforce plane taking the royals back to Sydney took off from Dubbo airport around 3pm, the end of what was considered a “short day” in the tour.

Wednesday in Melbourne was another busy day with six events, again with the royal couple running behind schedule, perhaps because of breaks added in for the expecting mother.

But Friday should provide Meghan with a respite from her elegantly turned out stilettos on Bondi Beach, where the Duchess is expected to go barefoot for a meet the people walk.

Meghan and Harry are due to meet One Wave, the Bondi surfing community’s mental health and wellbeing awareness group.

The Duke and Duchess out and about at Government House, Melbourne. Picture: Scott Barbour.

Meghan gets her jacket off for the farm visit to the sheep and cattle property of Laura Woodley (left). Picture: Toby Zerna.

The Banana bread Meghan baked for a royal tea at the Woodley farm near Dubbo. Picture: Toby Zerna

They will take part in Fluoro Friday, where people share their experiences with mental health issues and interact with others while surfing and doing yoga.

After Bondi, however, it is expected Meghan will peel off from Harry and go back to Admiralty House for a break.

The Duke is due to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Friday afternoon with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Invictus Games competitors to raise the Invictus flag.

Late in the afternoon, Meghan and Harry will meet Opposition Leader Bill Shorten at Admiralty House, followed by the Duchess meeting the PM.

By Friday evening’s receptions meeting Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and the PM again at Admiralty House, the Duke and Duchess will be able to mark off 23 events from their crowded tour.

Only 53 to go.

Apart from a visit to Fraser Island next Monday, their royal highnesses will mostly be attending Invictus Games events in Australia.

But the eager communities of Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand await the royal couple’s arrival for further days of their event-packed Pacific visit.

Meghan’s supportive entourage may have more of her secret breaks schedules for the blooming Duchess to put her feet up.

One thing she doesn’t have to sweat about is appearing beautiful for the ever present cameras, the Duchess of Sussex seemingly incapable of taking anything but a great shot.

The Duchess of Sussex greets children on a public walk in Melbourne. Picture: William West.