Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are heading Down Under later this month to kick-start their two-week royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji. On Thursday, Kensington Palace revealed details of their complete itinerary – and we have all the details.
There will be plenty of chances for Australians and Kiwi’s to see the newlywed royals in person, between Tuesday 16 and Thursday 1 November. Much of their visit will focus on meeting young people working on social, economic and environmental challenges, their spokeswoman revealed at a briefing at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
“The Duke is particularly keen to highlight these youth-led initiatives in his new role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, and to shine a light on the work and aspirations of young people across the Commonwealth,” the statement reads.
A major focus for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will also be the Invictus Games Sydney 2018. The couple is reportedly excited to see Sydney fully embrace the Invictus spirit.
If you’re looking to catch a glimpse of Meghan Markle and her Prince while in the region – time which includes patting baby koalas, climbing the Harbour Bridge and even an environmental bushwalk – here is a list of some of the main highlights:
16 October: Official welcome at Admiralty House with Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, Lady Cosgrove and Invictus Games representatives. Followed by a
Taronga Zoo tour for the opening of a new science and learning institute with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, two koalas and their joeys.
17 October: A public picnic at Dubbo’s Victoria Park (Harry to give a speech).
18 October: Public walkabout at Government House and Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne.
19 October: Prince Harry joins a Sydney Harbour Bridge climb with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Invictus Games competitors, to raise the Invictus flag.
22 October: Unveiling of Queens Commonwealth Canopy at Pile Valley, Fraser Island, with traditional owners, and a welcome to country smoking ceremony.
23-26 October: Fiji and Tonga
28 October: Travel to New Zealand and an official welcome at Government House before heading to the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park for a wreath laying ceremony, and to view the UK War Memorial.
29 October: Visit Wellington’s Maranui Cafe, where the Royal couple will meet young people from a number of mental health projects.
30 October: Off to Auckland, where they will firstly visit Redvale on the North Shore to dedicate an area of native bush to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy. The Duke and Duchess will then visit Pillars, a charity supporting children who have a parent in prison through special mentoring schemes. Later that afternoon, they will have the opportunity to meet the people of Auckland during a public walk at the Viaduct Harbour.
31 October: The couple will travel to Rotorua, where they will visit Te Papaiouru Marae, for a formal pōwhiri and luncheon in their honour.
