Royals

Prince Harry shares ‘special message’ from his grandmother the Queen in Tonga

Oct 26, 2018

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will fly back to Australia on Friday. Source: Getty.

They are almost two weeks into their first intercontinental tour as a married couple but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex showed no signs of slowing down as they attended a formal banquet at the official residence of the King and Queen of Tonga on Thursday evening.

Prince Harry gave a touching speech during the event at Consular House in Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa, thanking King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u for welcoming him and wife Meghan and for their “world renowned” hospitality.

The Duke of Sussex spoke for a number of minutes as he recounted the numerous visits his grandparents, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, have made to Tonga, describing the Pacific kingdom as “an extended family”, before wrapping up his deeply personal speech with a special message from Her Majesty the Queen.

“I would like to end by reading a special message from my grandmother The Queen,” he said.

“Your Majesties, it gives me great pleasure that my grandson and his wife are visiting The Kingdom of Tonga. Our two families have enjoyed a deep and warm friendship over many years, and I hope that our close relationship continues with the next generation.

“To this day, I remember with fondness Queen Salote’s attendance at my own Coronation, while Prince Philip and I have cherished memories from our three wonderful visits to your country in 1953, 1970 and 1977. In the months and years ahead, I wish Your Majesties and the people of Tonga every good fortune and happiness.”

"To this day, I remember with fondness Queen Salote's attendance at my own Coronation, while Prince Philip and I have cherished memories from our three wonderful visits to your country in 1953, 1970 and 1977." pic.twitter.com/JxtqTPsI38

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 25, 2018

The couple also dressed to impress for the special event, with Harry donning a smart black tuxedo for the special occasion, while the Duchess of Sussex slipped into a stunning white floor-length gown, designed by Irish fashion brand Theia.

Meghan’s gorgeous frock featured cap sleeves and stunning beading around the shoulders, as the designer revealed he suspected the duchess was pregnant after he was asked to alter the custom made gown before the couple departed for Australia.

The Duchess of Sussex, who became an official member of the British royal family when she married Prince Charles’ youngest son Harry on May 19, once again paid a sweet tribute to the mother-in-law she never got to meet, Princess Diana, as she opted to wear one of her favourite cocktail rings.

Meghan has stepped out in white on a number of occasions over the past two weeks. Source: Getty.

Harry and Meghan are due to return to Australia today, landing in Sydney on Friday afternoon ahead of the official Invictus Games closing ceremony which will take place tomorrow at Sydney Olympic Park

And the event will be extra poignant for the soon to be parents, as the gospel choir who gave a stunning performance at the royal wedding earlier this year will perform at the event, marking the end of this years games which honours wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel.