It was like a family affair at an afternoon reception at Admiralty House for Prince Harry and Meghan on their first day of their Australian tour.
Governor-General Peter Cosgrove welcomed the Duchess of Sussex to Australia for the first time joking her husband of five months had become "almost a son of Australia".
"We have been very anxious to have you here so we could adopt you as well," he told the royal couple at a reception at Admiralty House on Tuesday afternoon.
Sir Peter congratulated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the news they were expecting their first baby.
Meghan, who had changed into a dark olive shirt dress with a full pleated skirt by Brandon Maxwell, for the event after a busy morning at Taronga Zoo and meeting the public at the Opera House, beamed with delight.
The reception was attended by Australians from a broad range of sectors, including charity and community, arts and culture, and entertainment and sport -including singer Missy Higgins with her two-month-old daughter Luna.
Meghan made a beeline for the singer, admiring her baby, and they chatted at length.
Maths teacher Eddie Woo told her "our kids are 5, 7 and 10. It takes a lot of energy."
Meghan gave a broad smile and replied "we're excited to join the club"
Other invitees included comedian Anh Do, indigenous model Samantha Harris, former AFL player Adam Goodes, and Dr Richard Harris, the diver who helped saved Thai football team from their cave ordeal.
In a short speech, Sir Peter also praised the focus of the visit - the Invictus Games for war veterans - that has been promote by the prince, who served in the British army for a decade including two tours of Afghanistan.
"It was born from your genuine empathy with your fellow veterans. And it struck a chord immediately," Sir Peter said.
Prince Harry thanked Sydney for hosting the Invictus Games which open on Saturday.
"Australia is of course home to some of the world's best sporting talent but what you are about to see during these Invictus Games will quite literally astound you," he said in his short speech.
He also thanked Australia for the warm welcome on Tuesday and the chance to see more of the country.
"We are delighted to be here, and really impressed to see you serving beer and tea at an afternoon reception, in true Aussie style," he said.
"And we also genuinely couldn't think of a better place to announce the upcoming baby, be it a boy or a girl."
