Baby on board Royal tour
The Duchess of Sussex will not be modifying her Commonwealth tour, which includes visits to Fiji and Tonga, despite the presence of the Zika virus.
A palace source said Meghan had taken medical advice and all issues, including the risk of Zika infection, had been taken into account before deciding to go on the trip while pregnant.
The Duke and Duchess, who is said to be in ‘‘good health’’ at this stage of her pregnancy, will fly to Fiji and Tonga next week, from October 23 to 26.
There, they will undertake a range of indoor and outdoor activities, including a welcome ceremony in a park, a lively marketplace linked with the UN Women’s project ‘‘Markets for Change’’ and the unveiling of a Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy project in the Toloa Rainforest Reserve.
The current Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice notes that UK health authorities have classified both Fiji and Tonga as ‘‘having a risk of Zika virus transmission’’. Both countries are listed as ‘‘moderate’’ risk.
The NHS advises that infection with the virus during pregnancy ‘‘can lead to congenital Zika syndrome, with severe consequences for the baby’’.
‘‘It is recommended that pregnant women should consider postponing non-essential travel to areas at moderate risk of Zika virus transmission until after pregnancy,’’ it continues.
A spokesman for Kensington Palace declined to comment on details of the decision to go ahead with the trip, but it is understood all Foreign Office and medical advice has been taken into consideration.