Royals

Meghan pulls out of Monday’s official engagements: Reports

Oct 22, 2018

The media hype around Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has divided people. Source: Getty

She took the morning off from her royal engagements on Sunday and it looks like Queenslanders hoping to catch a glimpse of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on Monday could be disappointed.

According to Monday’s episode of Sunrise, 37-year-old Meghan will not join husband Prince Harry for official engagements during the couple’s royal visit to Fraser Island. While the former actress is still expected to arrive at Fraser Island by her husband’s side, Sunrise reports that Prince Harry will complete the day’s busy itinerary by himself. It is believed Meghan is tired and will rest while her husband is enjoying all that the iconic island has to offer.

The pair are on the seventh day of their 16-day tour, which has so far seen them greet thousands of fans across New South Wales and Victoria. Meghan was noticeably absent on Sunday when the Duke of Sussex arrived alone to watch the cycling as part of the Invictus Games in Sydney.

The pregnant Duchess of Sussex will not take part in official engagements during the Royal couple's visit to Fraser Island today. @edwina_b #RoyalTourAustralia pic.twitter.com/q5YdGYAaIh

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) October 21, 2018

“After a busy program, the Duke and Duchess have decided to cut back The Duchess’s schedule slightly for the next couple of days, ahead of the final week-and-a-half of the tour,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.

The news comes after Kensington Palace announced Meghan and Harry were expecting their first child last Monday. The royal family said the baby is due in spring, 2019, but didn’t confirm the exact month or due date.

“Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public,” a statement from the Palace said.

Monday is still set to be a busy day for Prince Harry in Queensland, with the 34-year-old expected to unveil the Queen’s plaque at the Fraser Island Rainforest. He will also visit the iconic Lake McKenzie, where he will learn about Fraser Island’s environment.

Prince Harry will also take a boat ride, before meeting and greeting fans at the Kingfisher Bay Jetty. The couple’s trip to Fraser Island will be their only visit to Queensland during the tour. They’re also set to visit Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand in the coming days.

Still, Meghan hasn’t disappointed yet on her tour. On day five of the royal tour, she stepped out with Prince Harry in Sydney to open the newly renovated Anzac Memorial. Prince Harry sported his full Blues and Royals tropical military dress uniform for the occasion, looking every bit the proud soldier as he met NSW Governor David Hurley and his wife Linda outside the Hyde Park facility.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Anzac Memorial in Sydney. Source: Getty

Meghan pulled out yet another show-stopping look for the occasion and dazzled onlookers in her black frock by New Zealand designer Emilia Wickstead. The smart button-up dress fell loosely over the Duchess’s growing baby bump.

Earlier last week she also surprised fans by trying her hand at AFL. At an official event at Government House in Melbourne, the Duchess was spotted throwing around an iconic red AFL Sherrin footy and playing a game of handball with some of the other women at the event.