Kensington Palace kicked off the week by announcing eagerly awaited details about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Autumn tour to Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. We had long suspected this tour would be both a lengthy and packed one. Judging from today's early details, that very much appears to be the case. The tour will take place between Tuesday 16th October and Wednesday 31st October.
The programme across the four Commonwealth countries will focus on youth leadership, environmental and conservation efforts – including the dedication of several new Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy projects – and the recovery and rehabilitation of servicemen and women through the Invictus Games Sydney 2018.
Whilst a detailed itinerary is embargoed for the time being, we do have an outline of how the couple will divide their time between the four countries. Harry and Meghan will touch down in Sydney on Tuesday 16 October. Their time in Sydney will be largely focused on the Invictus Games. The official medal designs for the games were released last week. Produced by the Royal Australian Mint, the medals draw inspiration from native Australian flora and feature extracts from the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley.
Wednesday, 17 October, will see the couple travel to Dubbo in New South Wales. MP Troy Grant said: "I welcome the announcement that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be visiting Dubbo whilst in Australia for the Invictus Games next month. Dubbo is the only regional destination in NSW that the Duke and Duchess will be visiting. Having previously met Prince Harry last year when he visited Sydney to promote the Invictus Games, and Prince Charles and Camilla on their Royal Tour of Australia in 2015, I am thrilled they have chosen Dubbo as the regional destination of choice. Dubbo is a thriving regional area, with salt of the earth people. I’m sure that everyone will be eager to showcase all that Dubbo has to offer and provide the Duke and Duchess and a very warm welcome." Below, the plains of the Dubbo region.
Thursday, 18 October will see Harry and Meghan spend the day in Melbourne.
More from the Herald Sun:
It's back to Sydney from the 19th - 21st for a series of events supporting Invictus. We're likely to see the couple attend receptions and meet teams before the Opening Ceremony. We also expect to see them cheering on athletes on the 21st.
They will spend Monday 22nd on the stunning Fraser Island - a heritage-listed island located along the southeastern coast of the state of Queensland.
Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th October mark the second leg of the tour with Harry and Meghan travelling to Suva, Fiji. The Commonwealth country in the South Pacific, is an archipelago of more than 300 islands. It's famed for rugged landscapes, palm-lined beaches and coral reefs with clear lagoons.
Thursday 25 October begins in Nadi, Fiji.
Later that day, they will travel to Nuku’alofa, Tonga where they will stay overnight before returning to Sydney for the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games.
The Birsbane Times reports:
The New Zealand portion of the tour begins on Sunday, 28 October in Wellington. A compact city, it encompasses a waterfront promenade, sandy beaches, a working harbour and colourful timber houses on surrounding hills. From Lambton Quay, the iconic red Wellington Cable Car heads to the Wellington Botanic Gardens. Strong winds through the Cook Strait give it the nickname "Windy Wellington."
More from the New Zealand Herald:
It's Abel Tasman National Park on Monday, 29 October. The wilderness reserve is located at the north end of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s known for the Abel Tasman Coast Track, a long trail winding over beaches and across ridges between Marahau in the south and Wainui in the north.
It's Auckland on Tuesday, 30 October.
The tour will come to a close in Rotorua on Wednesday, 31 October. The town, set on its namesake lake on New Zealand's North Island, is renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture.
The full outline.
The news made the papers Down Under.
Given the length of the tour and the area they will be covering, I imagine we can expect to see the couple undertake at least 50 engagements. Reporters Omid Scobie and Emily Andrews believe we'll see Meghan carry out one of her first solo engagements during the trip. I'm very much looking forward to seeing the full schedule. Watch this space :)
'Their Royal Highnesses have been invited to visit the Commonwealth Realms of Australia and New Zealand by the countries' respective governments. The Duke and Duchess will visit Fiji and Tonga at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.'
The programme across the four Commonwealth countries will focus on youth leadership, environmental and conservation efforts – including the dedication of several new Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy projects – and the recovery and rehabilitation of servicemen and women through the Invictus Games Sydney 2018.
Whilst a detailed itinerary is embargoed for the time being, we do have an outline of how the couple will divide their time between the four countries. Harry and Meghan will touch down in Sydney on Tuesday 16 October. Their time in Sydney will be largely focused on the Invictus Games. The official medal designs for the games were released last week. Produced by the Royal Australian Mint, the medals draw inspiration from native Australian flora and feature extracts from the poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley.
Wednesday, 17 October, will see the couple travel to Dubbo in New South Wales. MP Troy Grant said: "I welcome the announcement that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be visiting Dubbo whilst in Australia for the Invictus Games next month. Dubbo is the only regional destination in NSW that the Duke and Duchess will be visiting. Having previously met Prince Harry last year when he visited Sydney to promote the Invictus Games, and Prince Charles and Camilla on their Royal Tour of Australia in 2015, I am thrilled they have chosen Dubbo as the regional destination of choice. Dubbo is a thriving regional area, with salt of the earth people. I’m sure that everyone will be eager to showcase all that Dubbo has to offer and provide the Duke and Duchess and a very warm welcome." Below, the plains of the Dubbo region.
Thursday, 18 October will see Harry and Meghan spend the day in Melbourne.
More from the Herald Sun:
'During their visit to Victoria on October 18, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will meet a cross-section of youth and community groups who run programs aimed at empowering people through sport.
The sixth-in-line to the throne and his US actor wife will also attend a handful of official engagements focusing on education, conservation and sustainability programs.'
It's back to Sydney from the 19th - 21st for a series of events supporting Invictus. We're likely to see the couple attend receptions and meet teams before the Opening Ceremony. We also expect to see them cheering on athletes on the 21st.
They will spend Monday 22nd on the stunning Fraser Island - a heritage-listed island located along the southeastern coast of the state of Queensland.
Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th October mark the second leg of the tour with Harry and Meghan travelling to Suva, Fiji. The Commonwealth country in the South Pacific, is an archipelago of more than 300 islands. It's famed for rugged landscapes, palm-lined beaches and coral reefs with clear lagoons.
Thursday 25 October begins in Nadi, Fiji.
Later that day, they will travel to Nuku’alofa, Tonga where they will stay overnight before returning to Sydney for the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games.
The Birsbane Times reports:
'Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed the visit, which would coincide with the Invictus Games in Sydney, "Their visit will be an opportunity to promote the incredible achievements of Invictus athletes from around the world, and showcase Australian programs promoting youth leadership, environmental and conservation efforts, and will include a visit to a dedication to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy initiative on Fraser Island," he said. "I look forward to welcoming The Duke and The Duchess of Sussex to Australia next month."
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was quick to welcome the upcoming visit to Fraser Island, the date of which had not been confirmed. “We are honoured and delighted to receive their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and I’m sure many Queenslanders will be excited by the news and will offer a warm Queensland welcome,” she said. “Queensland has hosted many royal visits over the decades and this will be particularly exciting, as the Duke and the Duchess will be visiting one of our most beautiful and iconic locations.”
The New Zealand portion of the tour begins on Sunday, 28 October in Wellington. A compact city, it encompasses a waterfront promenade, sandy beaches, a working harbour and colourful timber houses on surrounding hills. From Lambton Quay, the iconic red Wellington Cable Car heads to the Wellington Botanic Gardens. Strong winds through the Cook Strait give it the nickname "Windy Wellington."
More from the New Zealand Herald:
'Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern welcomed the announcement.
"It's wonderful news that the Duke and Duchess are coming to New Zealand as part of their first major tour outside the United Kingdom. I know they will receive a very warm Kiwi welcome wherever they go," Ardern said. "I hope many New Zealanders will have the opportunity to see the Duke and Duchess as they visit some of our beautiful provinces and national parks, and experience our hospitality."
Harry and Meghan will arrive in New Zealand after attending the Invictus Games in Sydney and visiting Fiji and Tonga. The pair got married earlier this year in May and the New Zealand visit will be a part of their first major tour outside the United Kingdom.
Both have visited the country separately in the past - Meghan travelled around the country in 2015 and Harry has been here previously on Royal duties. After some advice from her former Suits star Gabriel Macht, Meghan ventured around the country in a campervan with a friend. Prince Harry also visited the country in 2015, his Royal Highness undertook an official Royal tour in May following an invitation from the Government.'
It's Abel Tasman National Park on Monday, 29 October. The wilderness reserve is located at the north end of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s known for the Abel Tasman Coast Track, a long trail winding over beaches and across ridges between Marahau in the south and Wainui in the north.
It's Auckland on Tuesday, 30 October.
The tour will come to a close in Rotorua on Wednesday, 31 October. The town, set on its namesake lake on New Zealand's North Island, is renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture.
The full outline.
The news made the papers Down Under.
Given the length of the tour and the area they will be covering, I imagine we can expect to see the couple undertake at least 50 engagements. Reporters Omid Scobie and Emily Andrews believe we'll see Meghan carry out one of her first solo engagements during the trip. I'm very much looking forward to seeing the full schedule. Watch this space :)