Royal baby takes the spotlight in Sydney

Australia has given the Duke and Duchess their first gifts for the royal nursery when their baby arrives next year.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry react.

Meghan and Prince Harry were gifted a toy kangaroo with a joey and a pair of tiny ugg boots. (AAP)

A beaming Duke and Duchess of Sussex have started their royal tour of Australia - but it's the baby news that has everyone talking.

Prince Harry and Meghan - who married in a grand wedding at Windsor Castle in May - announced on Monday night that they were expecting their first child in the northern spring.

The news - announced on the day the royal couple arrived in Sydney - took many by surprise including Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove.

The couple dispatched a staff member to hastily purchase a toy kangaroo with joey and tiny ugg boots for their pregnant guest. And the royal couple were delighted.

"Here's your first gift for the nursery," Sir Peter told the couple during the official welcome at Admiralty House.

He and his wife passed on his congratulations on behalf of all Australians.

The couple were thrilled by the gifts.

"Thank you that's so sweet," the Duchess said on receiving the toy.

The main focus of the morning's event was to meet Invictus Games representatives from the 18 countries competing in the event starting on Saturday.

Several of them congratulated the couple on their baby news, with Meghan, dressed in a form-fitting, sleeveless white dress by Australian designer Karen Gee, replying: "Thank you so much. We are very excited."

Harry who served with the British Army for a decade, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan, set up the Invictus Games after visiting the US Warrior Games in 2013.

He was inspired by the positive impact sport was having on the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded servicemen and women.


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Published 16 October 2018 10:22am
Source: AAP


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