Jump directly to the content

MEGHAN Markle held her baby bump as she arrived with Prince Harry for a Fiji state banquet in a stunning gown today.

The royal couple dressed up to the nines for the black tie dinner hosted by the country’s president at the Grand Pacific Hotel.

 Meghan Markle cradles her baby bump as the couple arrive for a state dinner
33
Meghan Markle cradles her baby bump as the couple arrive for a state dinnerCredit: AP:Associated Press

The Duke of Sussex wore a tuxedo while the Duchess came decked out in a light blue dress by designer SAFiYAA.

The gorgeous gown features a cape silhouette and the colour is thought to be a nod to the host country, whose flag is the same shade.

The outfit, worn with diamond drop-earrings and her hair down, was by German-born London-based designer Daniela Karmuts.

The pair smiled as they chatted with other guests at the champagne reception ahead of the banquet.

 Prince Harry and Meghan arrive to a state banquet in Fiji
33
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive to a state banquet in FijiCredit: AP:Associated Press
 The royal couple are attending a black tie dinner hosted by Fiji's president
33
The royal couple are attending a black tie dinner hosted by Fiji's president
 Harry and Meghan chat to other attendees at the flash state banquet
33
Harry and Meghan chat to other attendees at the flash state banquetCredit: PA:Press Association
 Meghan wore a light blue dress by designer SAFiYAA to the state dinner
33
Meghan wore a light blue dress by designer SAFiYAA to the state dinnerCredit: Getty - Pool
Prince Harry praises Fiji for 'its incredible natural beauty and hospitality' during speech at state banquet with pregnant Meghan Markle

Meghan earlier arrived in Fiji wearing a dress by Australian designer Zimmerman, a hat by Stephen Jones, earrings given to her by the Queen and a bracelet which was a gift from the Prince of Wales.

The pair were met at Suva's Nausori Airport by Melanie Hopkins, the High Commissioner and chief of protocol, Jonetani Tagivetaua.

They disembarked their Qantas charter flight to light rain and were introduced to the Hon Frank Bainamara, Fiji's PM and his wife, Maria, Ro Teimumu Kepa.

But everything didn't go quite as smoothly as they might have liked, with winds blowing the Duchess's hair across her face.

 Prince Harry and Meghan disembark from their plane on their arrival in Suva, Fiji
33
Prince Harry and Meghan disembark from their plane on their arrival in Suva, FijiCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Meghan looked thrilled by the warm welcome the royal couple received
33
Meghan looked thrilled by the warm welcome the royal couple receivedCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Prince Harry inspects a guard of honour at their official welcome ceremony in Suva
33
Prince Harry inspects a guard of honour at their official welcome ceremony in SuvaCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Meghan waits as Fiji PM Frank Bainimarama, left, gestures as a red carpet is laid during the official welcome ceremony
33
Meghan waits as Fiji PM Frank Bainimarama, left, gestures as a red carpet is laid during the official welcome ceremonyCredit: AP:Associated Press
 One of the welcome party in traditional dress gives Meghan a bunch of flowers
33
One of the welcome party in traditional dress gives Meghan a bunch of flowersCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Meghan will join Harry as they travel on to Tonga later in the week
33
Meghan will join Harry as they travel on to Tonga later in the weekCredit: AP:Associated Press

The red carpet even came close to taking off amid the strong gusts - but the royal couple appeared to laugh it off.

The Duchess was presented with a bouquet of flowers by a girl from the chiefly island of Bau, before Harry made his way to a dais on the runway.

Bau is the home of Ratu Apensia Cakobau, who ceded Fiji to Britain in 1874.

Harry and Meghan observed a royal salute, and the Duke was then invited to inspect the guard of honour.

 Harry shares a laugh with the president of Fiji ahead of a welcome ceremony
33
Harry shares a laugh with the president of Fiji ahead of a welcome ceremonyCredit: Andrew Parsons
 Fijian president Jioji Konrote gives the Duke of Sussex a present
33
Fijian president Jioji Konrote gives the Duke of Sussex a presentCredit: Andrew Parsons
 Well-wishers stand along the streets and wave as Harry and Meghan arrive in Suva
33
Well-wishers stand along the streets and wave as Harry and Meghan arrive in SuvaCredit: Reuters
 There will be an estimated 15,000 people at the traditional welcome ceremony
33
There will be an estimated 15,000 people at the traditional welcome ceremonyCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Excited kids run alongside the car carrying the royal couple as Harry waves
33
Excited kids run alongside the car carrying the royal couple as Harry wavesCredit: Reuters
 Meghan arrives for the official welcome ceremony at Albert Park in Suva, Fiji
33
Meghan arrives for the official welcome ceremony at Albert Park in Suva, FijiCredit: PA:Press Association
 Local children smile and wave flags as Harry and Meghan arrive in Fiji
33
Local children smile and wave flags as Harry and Meghan arrive in FijiCredit: Reuters
 Men in traditional dress greeted the royal couple in a welcome ceremony
33
Men in traditional dress greeted the royal couple in a welcome ceremonyCredit: Paul Edwards - The Sun
 The royal couple look on as they're greeted in the Veirqaraqaravi Vakavanua ceremony
33
The royal couple look on as they're greeted in the Veirqaraqaravi Vakavanua ceremonyCredit: Reuters
 Men carry a roasted pig wrapped in leaves during the welcome ceremony
33
Men carry a roasted pig wrapped in leaves during the welcome ceremonyCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 The Duke and Duchess Sussex took their seats alongside Fijian officials
33
The Duke and Duchess Sussex took their seats alongside Fijian officialsCredit: Paul Edwards - The Sun

The royal couple then left for their next engagement - a meeting with Fiji's President, Jioji Konrote - before heading to an official welcome ceremony.

The event took place at Albert Park, and mirrored the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's visit in 1953.

Harry and Meghan were met by dozens of men in traditional garb, who performed a welcome dance and presented them with an entire roasted pig.

The Prince was also given a cup of traditional drink Kava, knocking it back and shouting "Bula!"

The word is a greeting and it's expected that he shout it as part of the ceremony.

The pair will spend four days in the South Pacific travelling on to Tonga later in the week.

Mum-to-be Meghan was back on official royal tour duty today after taking a break from official engagements.

Prince Harry has delighted crowds in Fiji by taking part in a kava drinking ceremony as a smiling Meghan Markle watched on
 A man in traditional dress hands Harry a cup of local drink Kava as part of the ceremony
33
A man in traditional dress hands Harry a cup of local drink Kava as part of the ceremonyCredit: Paul Edwards - The Sun
 Harry shouts 'Bula!' and knocks it back as Meg smiles
33
Harry shouts 'Bula!' and knocks it back as Meg smilesCredit: �2018 Stephen Lock / i-Images
 The ceremony involves traditional dances and a presentation
33
The ceremony involves traditional dances and a presentationCredit: �2018 Stephen Lock / i-Images
 Man in traditional garb greet the royals during their official welcome
33
Man in traditional garb greet the royals during their official welcomeCredit: Reuters
 The royal couple are presented with their roasted pig in the pouring rain
33
The royal couple are presented with their roasted pig in the pouring rainCredit: Reuters
 Harry and Meghan wave to crowds from the balcony of their hotel after the ceremony
33
Harry and Meghan wave to crowds from the balcony of their hotel after the ceremonyCredit: �2018 Stephen Lock / i-Images

Harry had attended three of yesterday's events on his own, including an unveiling of the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy, where he joked about plaque-unveiling running "in the family".

Harry had told his pregnant wife to take it easy as the couple carry out a 16-day tour across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

A royal aide said: "She isn't sick, she just had a tiring few days.

"And we were concerned about the roads on the island which are incredibly bumpy and uncomfortable for anyone, let alone a pregnant woman.

"But the duchess was very keen to re-join the duke at the last engagement of the day to greet the people of the island."

 Prince Harry and Meghan pictured as they left Australia this morning
33
Prince Harry and Meghan pictured as they left Australia this morningCredit: Annette Dew/News Corp Australia
 The royal couple headed to Fiji today as they continued their tour
33
The royal couple headed to Fiji today as they continued their tourCredit: Annette Dew/News Corp Australia
 Harry and Meghan board the plane at Hervey Bay Airport on Fraser Island
33
Harry and Meghan board the plane at Hervey Bay Airport on Fraser IslandCredit: EPA
 The loved up couple previously strolled hand in hand on picturesque Fraser Island
33
The loved up couple previously strolled hand in hand on picturesque Fraser IslandCredit: Andrew Parsons
 Meghan wore a stylish dress from Reformation as she walked with Harry
33
Meghan wore a stylish dress from Reformation as she walked with HarryCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Meghan Markle cradles her baby bump as loved-up Duchess and Prince Harry walk hand in hand on Australia’s Fraser Island

As they left Australia, the couple were driven to Hervey Bay Airport, where Megan wore a loose fitting white shirt and black trousers.

Harry opted for a black shirt and chinos as they waved to a crowd of onlookers before boarding the plane.

On Thursday the parents to be will travel to the city of Nadi in Western Fiji.

Pregnant Meghan Markle misses morning to 'rest' as Prince Harry watches Invictus Games


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.