The Duke and Duchess of Sussex continued their royal tour of the Pacific with a trip to Fiji, which saw Meghan Markle attend the Fijian capital of Suva on her own. However, her visit to a market in the city was apparently cut short because of growing security concerns for the Duchess' safety. CNN reports that Meghan's solo trip was cut short because of "larger-than-expected crowds" which caused security concerns for the Duchess. The publication describes the buoyant atmosphere as thousands of royal fans waited to greet Meghan, waving flags, and singing songs. However, as the Duchess has recently announced her pregnancy, it's likely that her security team want to keep Meghan as safe as possible throughout every visit. Royal reporters highlighted the security concerns on Twitter. Sky News royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills tweeted a video of the Duchess and said, "Meghan was really rushed through #Suva market and spent less than ten minutes there. The palace said she did meet the women she was meant to, but there were lots of disappointed Fijian’s who said it was too fast and the security too tight." This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Meghan was really rushed through #Suva market and spent less than ten minutes there. The palace said she did meet the women she was meant to, but there were lots of disappointed Fijian’s who said it was too fast and the security too tight pic.twitter.com/Bqmd9mkgbm — Rhiannon Mills (@SkyRhiannon) October 24, 2018 Meanwhile, the Daily Mail's Rebecca English said, "Meghan’s visit to the market in Suva has been cut short due to a ‘security risk’—KP blaming massive crowds." This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Meghan’s visit to the market in Suva has been cut short due to a ‘security risk’ - KP blaming massive crowds. — Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) October 23, 2018 Before her visit to the market was cut short, Meghan did get to meet with representatives from the UN Markets for Change initiative, which "seeks to promote a safe, inclusive environment for women vendors in a number of South Pacific nations," per CNN. Stepping out with Prince Harry earlier in the day, Meghan wore a stunning wrap dress by Figue, which featured pom-pom and seashell details, as well as a striking, ruffled, asymmetrical hem. The dress has started to sell out online, but you might be able to get hold of one if you act quickly: Frederica floral-print silk crepe de chine maxi dress Figue net-a-porter.com £1,495.00 Shop Now This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>Get our daily royal round-up direct to your inbox Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Prince Harry is expected to demand an explanation over safety fears that resulted in pregnant wife Meghan being bundled out of a crowded market in Fiji yesterday. The Duchess of Sussex, 37, had visited the indoor site in capital Suva as part of their royal tour while the Duke, 34, was 30 miles away in a rainforest. Meghan was seen to whisper in one aide’s ear seconds before she entered the “hot and humid” environment, where people were packed in waiting to see her. Witnesses said she looked “flustered” and “afraid” inside and was whisked away just eight minutes into her scheduled 20-minute visit. People had waited four hours to see her and many clambered on tables and chairs. Kensington Palace aides told the Mirror she was pulled out due to “crowd control issues”. (Image: Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror) Bodyguard Ken Wharfe, who worked for Harry’s mother Princess Diana, said he believed the security situation was “chaotic”. After examining video clips of the incident, he claimed “the very basic elements of personal protection were found to be wanting”. A royal source said Harry, 34, will have been “deeply concerned” and the Mirror understands Meghan’s close protection officer and Kensington Palace staff met after the scare. A source said: “The event was cut short due to the large number of people within the market, which made the event uncomfortably busy. There were much bigger crowds than people had been anticipating.” (Image: AFP/Getty Images) Vendor Asenaca Salusalu, 50, who saw Meghan, said: “She didn’t really speak at all, like she was a bit afraid. But I’m happy to have met her.” On-the-scene Mirror photographer Ian Vogler said: “It was crowded, really cramped. The alleyways were narrow and I could understand why Meghan’s protection officers would judge it an unsafe environment, especially with her being pregnant. It was also very hot and humid and there were a lot of people in very close ­quarters to the Duchess. Unfortunately, it was just not a safe environment.” (Image: 7 News) Meghan had been due to speak to female vendors about women’s empowerment and many were part of the UN project Markets for Change. Harry was in the Colo-i-Suva rainforest planting an endangered native tree for the Queen’s Canopy Project during the scare. Meghan did not go due to the risk to their baby from the Zika virus. ­Kensington Palace would not comment. (Image: 7 News) The Duchess has missed several events on the 16-day tour Down Under. She skipped the Invictus road cycling contest in Sydney on Sunday and a rainforest trek on Fraser Island on Monday. Palace aides previously said “she’s not sick, just resting after feeling tired”. The Duke and Duchess today visit Nadi, western Fiji, to unveil a statue of Sgt Talaiasi Labalaba – a British-Fijian soldier killed in the Battle of Mirbat in 1972 – before flying on to Tonga. Her team has to review the very basics By Ken Wharfe Former protection officer to Diana The success of any royal tour depends upon planning and the visit to Fiji has called into question some chaotic security arrangements. TV coverage highlights an enthusiastic crowd scurrying for a closer view of the Duchess, who is seen “penned in” by officials and security, and a disengaged facial expression saying at best “Where are we going?” or at worst “Get me out of here!” (Image: REX/Shutterstock) The lack of a defined roped or barrier walkway was clearly the root cause of the problem. The back-up of a safe exit route seemed not to be in place. Given that the Duchess is pregnant, and temperatures high in the 80s in the market, without this walkway the visit should, in my opinion, not have been allowed. As with all royal visits, the inevitable debrief will follow. Royalty protection will need to address basic elements of personal protection, found to be wanting in Suva.<doc-sep>
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, cut short a royal appearance on Wednesday over apparent security concerns. The former Meghan Markle was visiting a market in Fiji as part of her 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. The duchess left the market just minutes after she arrived. Getty Images At first, nothing seemed amiss as the duchess greeted female market vendors in Fiji’s capital, Suva. She sported a cheerful, patterned dress as she greeted the women, who are involved with the UN Women’s project Markets for Change. The market was packed. Getty Images But just a few minutes into her visit, the duchess was led away by her security team, cutting her planned visit time by more than half. The duchess was led away by her team. Getty Images Royal officials offered differing explanations for the duchess’s sudden departure, first saying it was too hot and humid, then saying there had been a security concern, according to NBC’s Keir Simmons. Then, officials suggested there had been a crowd control issue. Whatever the cause for her shortened visit, the duchess was led away with minimal fuss, and she is most likely resting up for her next royal engagement. The duchess still appeared relaxed as she was led away by security officials. Getty Images The market visit was a solo appearance by the duchess, as Prince Harry also had a packed schedule Wednesday. He visited Colo-i-Suva National Park and also met with veterans from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Royal British Legion Fiji. Prince Harry wore his uniform as he honored Fijian and British veterans, and sported a more casual, island-themed shirt as he visited a nearby national park. Getty Images Earlier in the day, the duchess and Prince Harry both visited the University of the South Pacific, where the duchess gave a speech about the importance of providing girls access to education. “Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to receive the education they want, but more importantly the education they have the right to receive. And for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital,” she said. "Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to receive the education they want, but more importantly the education they have the right to receive. And for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital.” — The Duchess of Sussex at @UniSouthPacific #RoyalVisitFiji pic.twitter.com/ZWXxiBNcEY — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 24, 2018 She even spoke of her own struggles to afford a college education. “It was through scholarships, financial aid programs and work-study where my earnings from a job on campus went directly towards my tuition, that I was able to attend university,” she said. “And, without question, it was worth every effort.” The duchess’s simple but powerful speech sent an important message, Simmons said. “For a member of the royal family to talk about their own struggle to get an education and women's empowerment is a big deal,” he said. “Meghan seems determined not to forget where she came from.”