Harry and Meghan off to Pacific region to tour as married couple

Duke and Duchess will visit Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are embarking on their first royal tour as a married couple.

The royal couple will visit Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.

Starting tomorrow, Harry and Meghan will fulfil 76 engagements during a 16-day trip to the Pacific region.

The tour coincides with the Invictus Games in Sydney, which run from October 20-28. The event – founded by Prince Harry in 2014 – gives sick and injured service personnel and veterans the opportunity to compete in sports such as wheelchair basketball.

After landing in Sydney, the couple will travel to Dubbo and Melbourne, before spending three days in Sydney to mark the launch of the games. They will return for the closing ceremony.

However, sport is not the sole focus of the trip. While in Australia, Harry and Meghan will visit organisations including schools and a rural Flying Doctor service. They will also greet members of the public at the Sydney Opera House, and meet young leaders and community members at Government House.

On arrival in Fiji, they will be welcomed with a ceremony similar to one attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in 1953.

In Fiji, Prince Harry will pay tribute to war veterans and the couple will attend a state dinner before flying to Tonga.

The tour will conclude with a four-day trip to New Zealand, where they will be greeted by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

In Wellington, they will learn about environmental challenges, visit a charity which supports children with parents in prison, and meet members of the public in Auckland and Rotura.

Harry and Meghan will return to London from Auckland on November 1.

Kensington Palace said: “There is a long history of friendship between the royal family and Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, and their links with the UK are extensive.

“The duke and duchess are very much looking forward to experiencing the unique cultures and customs of those four Commonwealth countries and have asked that this tour allow them opportunities to meet as many Australians, Fijians, Tongans, and New Zealanders as possible.”

There is a long history of friendship between the royal family and Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. KENSINGTON PALACE

Picture: PA The Duke and Duchess of Sussex begins their tour of the Pacific region tomorrow.