PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have touched down in Sydney ahead of their long-awaited tour of Australia. The royals landed at Sydney Airport around 7am on a Qantas flight from London, not an earlier British Airways flight as had been previously reported. A source from onboard the flight told news.com.au that the couple - who it’s understood were travelling in First Class - appeared to be “in good spirits” and were “excited about coming to Australia.” Prince Harry and Meghan, looking remarkably fresh-faced, were whisked out of the airport and into a waiting car. The royals - and their entourage - were surrounded by a heavy security presence, but still managed to offer up quick smiles for the waiting media. The Duchess of Sussex was carrying two hefty purple folders, presumably full of briefing notes and information detailing the couple’s hectic schedule - although, honestly, it seemed a little strange that someone didn’t offer to carry it for her. BREAKING: Meghan’s folder just sold out at officeworks! — Carl Norman (@normo80) October 14, 2018 A somewhat low-key arrival for the Sussexes in Sydney ahead of tomorrow’s start. I’ve often spoken about Duchess Meghan doing extensive homework before engagements and this #RoyalTour will be no different. Check out the two purple binders! pic.twitter.com/FBmNMc1hsB — Omid Scobie (@scobie) October 14, 2018 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are believed to be travelling with an entourage of 10 staff members, including press secretaries and a hairdresser. It’s also being reported that Meghan has invited her best friend, Toronto-based stylist Jessica Mulroney and her husband Ben, to join them and help her with her wardrobe in an “unofficial” capacity. Around half an hour after leaving the airport, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at Admiralty House in Kirribilli. THE TOUR Their first official royal tour will include time in Sydney, Melbourne, Dubbo and Fraser Island, as well as other Commonwealth countries, including Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be in Australia for a total of nine days, with a stacked itinerary that includes public picnics, farm visits and a “Fluoro Friday” for mental health, but are predominantly here for the Invictus Games. Their arrival today is fairly low-key (as much as possible) as their official duties won’t kick off until tomorrow. Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in Sydney on a Qantas Flight (Sunrise)... Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in Sydney on a Qantas Flight (Sunrise) It will begin with the couple meeting with the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife, Lady Cosgrove at Admiralty House. They’ll be joined by representatives from the Invictus Games to take in the “spectacular views” before heading to Taronga Zoo to meet two baby koalas. Prince Harry and Meghan will then catch a ferry to the Opera House to watch a rehearsal by the Bangarra Dance Company and then take part in a royal walkabout to chat with “members of the public”, later returning to the Governor-General’s house for a “reception”. On Wednesday, they will head to the NSW city of Dubbo to “see first-hand the hardships local farmers are facing by visiting a local property” and host a public picnic in a local park. Later in the week, they’ll fly to Melbourne to be received by state politicians at government house, meet with youth leaders and do what any out-of-towner struggles with the first time: catch a tram. On Friday, royal fans will be able to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan at Bondi Beach, where they’ll be spending time with OneWave, an initiative that engages with mental health. Later that day, they’ll climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge with Prime Minister Scott Morrison to mount the Invictus Games flag and officially launch the event. Over the weekend, the couple will be on Cockatoo Island and in the Domain for Invictus events, and on Monday will fly to Fraser Island - off the coast of Queensland - to meet with local elders and learn about the local indigenous history. Prince Harry and Meghan will then depart for the South Pacific leg of the tour, before coming back in Australia on Friday, October 26, for a final two days in Sydney.<doc-sep>The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have touched down in Sydney for their first Australian and Pacific tour. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle landed at Sydney Airport just after 7am but they are expected to have a quiet day on Monday before the start of their 16-day tour. It was initially thought the couple had arrived on a British Airways flight about 6am, but they flew in on a Qantas plane about 7am. While Qantas declined to comment, sources said Harry and Meghan were in good spirits during the journey, and were "excited about coming to Australia".<doc-sep>Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive in Sydney FREE now and never miss the top Royal stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top Royal stories again. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. The royal couple arrived in the harbour city hand in hand on Monday morning (local time) as part of their 16-day tour of Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand between Tuesday, October 16 and 31. Meghan Markle and Harry reportedly flew in on a Qantas A380 from London via Singapore. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted by crowds of cheering fans as they left the plane. Meghan, 37, looked effortlessly chic in a black turtle-neck and maroon scarf as she smiled and waved at fans. Meghan Markle beamed as she greeted fans in Australia They were said to have been greeted by a heavy police presence at Sydney Airport before making their way to Admiralty House, the Governor-General's Sydney residence. Meghan and Prince Harry's official duties do not start until Tuesday, so the couple have a low-key start to their busy tour. It comes after the pair attended Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie's Royal Wedding on Friday, with celebrations continuing over the weekend. Starting on Tuesday, Harry and Meghan Markle will take part in 76 engagements over their 16-day trip to the Pacific region. Meghan Markle smiled and waved at Australian fans The tour coincides with the Invictus Games in Sydney, which run from October 20 to October 28. The sporting 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 and sitting volleyball. After landing in Sydney, the duke and duchess will travel to Dubbo and Melbourne, before spending three days in Sydney from October 19-21 to mark the launch of the games. They will return for the closing ceremony. After Australia, the couple will fly to Fiji, where they will be greeted with an arrival ceremony similar to one attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in 1953. Meghan Markle and Harry arrived hand-in-hand In Fiji, Prince Harry will pay tribute to Fijian 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. The duke and duchess will learn about environmental challenges while in Wellington, 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. Meghan Markle beams at royal well-wishers 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. Harry and Meghan's sojourn in the southern hemisphere will be more brief but will see the couple retracing parts of the path once trod by his father and mother. The couple will also visit Bondi Beach, where they will meet a local surfing community group which raises awareness for mental health and wellbeing. Meghan and Harry: Where are they going on their Autumn tour? Meghan Markle and Harry make their way through peak time traffic<doc-sep>The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, aka Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, aka Haz and Mags, touched down in Sydney early this morning ahead of their first full-scale international tour as a royal couple. As you’d expect, the media pack was stationed as close as possible to the tarmac around 6am to catch their arrival at Sydney Airport on a British Airways flight. Natch. The pair are set to enjoy a relatively* low-key welcome to Australia today before their official duties begin tomorrow. Tuesday’s itinerary includes a welcome by Governor-General Peter Cosgrove at Admiralty House, which will also be attended by athletes competing in Sydney’s Invictus Games. Some koala cuddling at Taronga Zoo will follow, along with a trip across Sydney Harbour towards the Sydney Opera House. There, they’ll watch a you-beaut Bangarra Dance Theatre rehearsal. Here’s the bit you lot may find most interesting: Kensington Palace states Harry and Meghan “will have an opportunity to meet members of the public” at the Opera House forecourt upon their departure. It’s a lot to take in, especially after spending the better part of a day stuck on a plane, but it’s just the first part of a sixteen-day trek which will also see Harry and Meghan visit Dubbo, Melbourne, and Fraser Island. They’ll also jet across to New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji as part of their tour. If you’re keen to have a peep at their full itinerary, have a gander HERE. *It’s not low key at all, but when you are literal royalty, that is to be expected.<doc-sep>
Prince Harry and his new bride Meghan have arrived in Sydney a day before kicking off their first overseas tour as a royal couple. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down just after 7am on an overcast Sydney morning after flying in from Singapore on a Qantas flight. It had been thought they had arrived at 6am on a British Airways flight, but it later emerged they were on the Qantas flight. Holding hands and casually dressed, the couple walked out a back entrance and got into a car. Meghan, wearing skinny black pants and black, burgundy trimmed coat, was smiling and clutching folders, while Harry gave a thumbs up to bystanders. A police motorcade whisked them away just after 7.40am to Admiralty House where dozens of locals were waiting to greet them. The royal couple waved at them as they drove throught the gates the governor-general's Sydney residence just after 8am. They will spend the day recovering from the flight and prepare for their first full day of engagements on Tuesday. Tuesday will be the first time for the public to interact with the couple, who were married in May. They have 76 engagements across 16 days in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, which will include Sydney, Dubbo, Melbourne and Queensland's Fraser Island. The tour coincides with the Invictus Games in Sydney, which runs from October 20-28. The sporting 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 and sitting volleyball. The couple will mark the games' launch and closing ceremony in Sydney. AAP Harry and Meghan's tour of Australia is seen as a key one for the royal couple who, during a TV interview to mark their engagement last November, spoke of their desire to promote humanitarian causes close to their hearts across Commonwealth member countries including Australia. The visit comes six months after Prince Charles made his 16th official visit to Australia, primarily to open the 21st Commonwealth Games on Queensland's Gold Coast. The schedule October 16: Sydney, Australia October 17: Dubbo, Australia October 18: Melbourne, Australia October 19-21: Sydney, Australia October 22: Fraser Island, Australia October 23 -24: Suva, Fiji October 25: Nadi, Fiji and Nuku'alofa, Tonga October 26: Nuku'alofa, Tonga and Sydney, Australia October 27: Sydney, Australia October 28: Wellington, New Zealand October 29: Wellington and Abel Tasman, New Zealand October 30: Auckland, New Zealand October 31: Rotorua, New Zealand