Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are given an Australian welcome to remember
Published Date: 10/16/2018
Source: The Sun
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry beamed with delight as the royal couple were handed a toy kangaroo on their first appearance since their pregnancy announcement.Mum-to-be Meghan looked thrilled as she clutched a cuddly toy Joey given to the royal couple by Australia's Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove in Sydney today.The Duchess of Sussex exclaimed: "Our first baby gift!" as she cuddled the Joey, while her husband Prince Harry was handed a pair of tiny baby Ugg boots, which he called "awesome".The future mum seemed happy to chat all things baby at the Admiralty House reception, with the Daily Mail reporting she told Australian mathematician Eddie Woo: "We're ready! We're excited to join the club."And she showed her motherly instincts as she chatted to singer Missy Higgins as the star cradled her newborn daughter, Luna.It has been a busy 24 hours for the future parents since they landed Down Under for their whirlwind 16-day tour - their first official overseas trip as as married couple.Just hours after they landed in Sydney, Kensington Palace announced the Duchess of Sussex was pregnant.Dad-to-be Prince Harry said he was "delighted" to be in Australia, adding: "We genuinely couldn't think of a better place to announce the upcoming baby, be it a boy or girl."The couple were greeted by thousands of well-wishers outside the iconic Sydney Opera House for their first full day in Australia.Inundated with flowers and gifts, Meghan told the crowds: "What an exciting time, I've been so happy.Meghan and Harry managed to pack several engagements into their first day, including meeting some baby koalas at Targona Zoo.The couple got the chance to meet koalas Harry and Meghan, two joeys which were named after the couple to mark their nuptials earlier in the year.Meghan, who revealed a hint of a bump, said the koalas were "so, so sweet", while Harry reached to pet one of the animals and asked about their diet and sleeping habits.The pair also encountered other wildlife at the zoo on the shores of Sydney Harbour, with staff showing off wallabies, quokkas and a short-legged echidna, who seemed very taken by the royal guests.The duke seemed concerned about the echidna's wellbeing in a room full of cameras, asking of its nose: "The snot, is that a good thing or stress?""It's OK, he's drooling out of excitement," the scientists told him. "And he's just been fed."Harry and Meghan were greeted at Admiralty House by flag-bearing representatives from the 18 countries who will be competing at the Invictus Games in the city.The dignitaries also presented Harry and Meghan with the Akubras - traditional wide-brimmed Australian hats - which were gifted to them for their wedding in May.The duke opened the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning before Meghan swiftly switched her stunning nude heels for flat shoes as they walked to the boat.The couple then got the chance to take in the sights of the city during a ride across the harbour to the Opera House.There, they spent more than the allotted 20 minutes greeting crowds in the sunshine, with Harry spotting one familiar face in the crowd.After finding 98-year-old Daphne Dunne in the crowd of around 2,000 people, he said: "I was looking for you earlier and hoped you'd be here, it's so good to see you again."Mrs Dunne, who saw Harry during his 2015 and 2017 visits to Australia, was able to congratulate both the duke and duchess on their baby news, with Meghan saying that next time the couple were in Australia they "might have our little one with us".Continue reading:https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7501457/meghan-markle-prince-harry-beam-joy-australia-royal-baby-announcement/When is Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys first baby due?https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/5008396/prince-harry-meghan-markle-baby-pregnant-odds/Meghan Markle may break tradition to choose an American name and throw a baby shower:https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/7495538/etiquette-expert-pregnant-meghan-markle-baby-name-tradition-american/Is this what their baby will look like?https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/7386248/is-this-what-meghan-markle-and-prince-harrys-baby-will-look-like-genetic-scientist-predicts-royal-tot-will-have-fiery-red-hair-and-dark-eyes/Fans flood Twitter to claim Duchess is expecting after she covers stomach in Sydney HOURS before royals confirm baby news:https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/7494457/meghan-markle-pregnant-fans-flood-twitter-and-speculate-duchess-is-expecting-after-she-carries-purple-folders-in-front-of-her-stomach-as-she-steps-off-the-plane-at-sydney/Sun Subscribers get the latest breaking news and videos directly to their feed. SUBSCRIBE NOW and hit the bell to be the first in the know.http://www.thesun.co.uk