Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Royal tour LIVE: Meghan glows in navy gown despite quake
THE DUKE and Duchess of Sussex are currently on their first Royal tour together as a married couple, commencing the trip shortly after Meghan announced she was pregnant with the couple’s first child.
Meghan Markle clutches baby bump during visit to Auckland
An earthquake recently struck and was widely felt throughout New Zealand but neither Harry nor Meghan were in danger at any point.
Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex were not hurt or affected by the magnitude 6.2 earthquake and continued their Royal itinerary as planned.
The Royal couple are scheduled to attend a reception hosted by the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, at the Auckland War Museum.
They will then undertake a walkabout at roughly 4pm local time (3am GMT).
The royal couple also participated in a gumboot throwing - or welly-wanging - contest and met representatives of the Pillars charity.
Follow below for live updates - all times in GMT.
10am update: Harry greets New Zealand reception in six languages
The Duke of Sussex showed his language skills are as sharp as his sense of humour as he addressed a reception in six languages.
Harry, addressing an audience of young people at a reception in New Zealand, offered his greetings in a few words of six languages: Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Niuean, Cook Islands, and Maori.
He said: "This is definitely the first time I have spoken most of those languages, so I apologise if my accent wasn't any good, but I had to give it a go."
8.30am update: New Zealand PM speaks of ‘real empathy’ for ‘incredible’ mother-to-be Meghan
Jacinda Ardern, a mother herself, said had not shared any baby tips with Harry and Meghan but that she admired the duchess for her work while pregnant.
She said: "It's just increased my respect for the role that she's playing at such an often tiring time.
"I have real empathy and I think she's incredible."
Wednesday is the final day of Harry and Meghan's tour, which has seen them also visit Australia, Fiji and Tonga.
7.30am update: Meghan shimmers in navy gown hours after 6.1 magnitude quake
Meghan Markle shimmered in a stunning navy blue gown hours after a major earthquake was felt throughout New Zealand.
Neither Prince Harry or pregnant Meghan were harmed in the 6.1 magnitude quake that hit south of Auckland, but the shock seemed to have brought the married couple even closer, with the Duchess of Sussex breaking royal protocol by placing a tender hand on her husband’s thigh.
6.34am update: Duke and Duchess arrive at Auckland War Memorial
The Royal duo have arrived for a reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister
Meghan is wearing an Antonio Berardi dress that she wore to watch Harry play polo last year.
6.00am update: Meghan's outfit change for walkabout
Meghan changed into a nude Burberry trench coat and nude Brandon Maxwell dress at the walkabout in Auckland.
She completed the outfit with matching stilettos as she gracefully worked the crowd with her loving husband, Harry.
A sign of a baby bump is beginning to protrude as the Duchess grows into pregnancy.
5.46am update: The Duchess receives an unusual gift
Katharina Weischede gave Meghan a bag with “Slime Princess” t-shirts and merchandise — a character and brand she created herself at just 10.
The Royals have been given lots of presents on the tour - not all of them for adults.
While they were in the bush earlier today, the Duke and Duchess received cute toddler wellies and a woollen shawl for their unborn baby.
5.14am update: The Duchess of Sussex has presented an award
She gave it to Enhakkorey Lautasi Pepese, who received the prize to provide opportunities to play sport.
The Royal couple are currently attending the event for the Pillars charity, which aims to help children whose parents have been incarcerated.
Meghan and Harry are on the penultimate day of their Oceania tour, which has seen them travel to Austalia, Tonga and Fiji.
4.51am update: Prince Harry has given a speech at the Pillars charity
Addressing young award winners, he said: "You are outstanding young people, and I know you will use this opportunity to create exciting futures for yourselves and to act as role models for others.
“To all the Pillars community, thank you again.”
His comments were met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The Pillars charity aims to help children whose parents are in prison - to "break the cycle" and get them back on the path to normality.
4.35am update: Harry and Meghan handle the crowd like pros
The Royal couple have used their typical grace to handle the assembled crowds in Auckland.
Many of the gushing fans have given the couple gifts, from flowers to small messages.
The spectators were waving flags from an array of Commonwealth nations including Wales and Botswana.
Both Meghan and Harry were smiling throughout the walkabout, displaying their professionalism and flair for public interaction.
4.20am update: Royal fans were overcome with emotion after seeing Harry and Meghan
As Harry and Meghan got into their car, Liam Welby shouted: “Gingers rule!”
Speaking afterwards, the 21-year-old said: “He's probably the best ginger I've seen apart from myself in the mirror.”
Max Henry, 10, was holding pictures of himself meeting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge when they visited New Zealand in 2014.
He said: “I said 'Look who I met, it's your brother' and he said 'Oh yeah’.”
Adelaide Sinclair, 14, was overcome with emotion after meeting the Duchess.
She handed Meghan a “personal letter” after queuing up since 9am to meet the royal visitors.
She said: “They both said 'Take deep breaths', she took my hand. I'm just crying.”
4.17am update: Meghan and Harry have arrived at Viaduct Harbour for their walkabout
They have met adoring fans and members of the public.
Meghan changed into a gorgeous nude dress with a large trench coat to match combined with striking nude stilettos as she confidently strolled along the harbour.
Prince Harry wore a navy blue suit and blue shirt with the top button undone.
Meghan's baby bump is beginning to protrude as she blossoms into her pregnancy.
3.24am update: The Royal pair are on their way to Viaduct Harbour for the walkabout
Crowds of keen Royal fans are waiting to hopefully see - and maybe even meet the royal couple.
Meghan was snapped through the window of a car as she dazzled and made her way to the next engagement.
The duo had just met the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern.
3.00am update: Harry and Meghan meet the Kiwi PM
Prince Harry and Meghan reconnected with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Pillars, a charity operating across New Zealand that supports children who have a parent in prison by providing special mentoring schemes in Auckland.
One special little girl, presumably in her best princess dress, presented Meghan with flowers.
2.30am update: A major magnitude 6.2 earthquake has hit New Zealand
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were just more than 150 miles away from the quake’s epicentre.
Fortunately, the Royal newlyweds do not appear to be in any danger from the tremor despite it being felt across the country.
The quake struck near New Plymouth, New Zealand, just 162 miles from where the Royal couple are currently spending day three of the New Zealand leg of their tour.
2.16am update: Children have performed for the Duke and Duchess
A group of schoolchildren performed for the Royal couple before they unveiled a 20-hectare area of bush dedicated to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy.
The children danced and waved in hooded waterproof coats as the rain hammered down.
The dance occurred shortly after Harry and Meghan unveiled the area of bush and Harry received a traditional Maori welcome.
2.06am update: Harry gets a "Hongi" welcome
The Duke of Sussex received a Hongi as he attends a dedication of an area of bush to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy.
The traditional Māori greeting, the Hongi is done by pressing one's nose and forehead, at the same time, to another person.
It is used at traditional meetings among Māori people and on major ceremonies and serves a similar purpose to a formal handshake.
1.40am update: A crowd is waiting in Auckland for the Duke and Duchess
Harry and Meghan are currently attending a private lunch before they head to the Auckland Harbour for a walkabout.
Eager fans are waiting in the pouring rain for their Royal idols to make an appearance.
The heavy rain has not deterred the keenest Royal spectators in New Zealand from turning out in force, clad in raincoats and ponchos.
1.17am update: The October Auckland weather strikes
Both the Duke and Duchess took shelter under the same umbrella in a charming display of affection as the drizzle rained down.
Harry was also snapped helping his wife over a puddle as he gripped her hand tightly.
Both the Duke and the Duchess quickly changed into more suitable attire by donning waterproof coats ahead of a "welly-wanging" game, which Meghan won.
12.55am recap: Meghan and Harry are now on day three of their New Zealand leg of the tour
Later today, the mother and father-to-be will conduct a walkabout on Viaduct Harbour, and learn about Pillars - a charity which supports children who have an imprisoned parent.
They will then attend a reception hosted by prime minister Jacinda Ardern.
The couple will dedicate a 20-hectare area of the North Shore to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy project.
12.39am update: The Duke and Duchess have planted a tree
Earlier Duchess Meghan planted a New Zealand kōwhai tree, which is one of the distinctive Kiwi flowers.
Meghan chose the emblematic flowers to be embroidered on her wedding veil to represent New Zealand.
Harry planted a puriri tree which can grow up to 20metres tall.
12.30am update: The Royal couple have received baby gifts
The Duke and Duchess were given some adorable presents for the newest arrival to the Royal Family, Baby Sussex.
The cute offerings included a pair of green wellies (toddler size) decorated with kiwis and a baby shawl from New Zealand wool.
The Royal newlyweds were also given a green-stone necklace each, which they both wore with a smile.
12.15am update: Meghan is wearing jeans by J Crew and a Karen Walker blazer
The Duchess is exuding her usual fashion finesse with an understated chic look.
She has chosen to wear a pair of tight-fitted jeans and a black waterproof anorak to shield her precious cargo from the inclement New Zealand weather.
12.10am update: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have taken part in a "welly-wanging" contest
The sport, thought to have originated in the UK now adopted by New Zealand, sees competitors attempt to throw a Wellington boot as far as possible.
Both Harry and Meghan tried their hand at welly-wanging along with the youngsters, with the Duchess's boot landing closer to the target and her team winning overall.
The Royals looked relaxed in the lush New Zealand countryside flanked by eager youngsters as they enjoyed the fun and games.
Meghan and Harry take part in welly-wanging contest
12.01am update: Meghan and Harry have arrived in Auckland
The Royal couple have enjoyed a stroll together hand-in-hand.
They both donned sturdy wellington boots as they attended the unveiling of The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy in Redvale.
Harry wore a smart long jacket and Meghan looked chic in black jeans and a navy blue, buttoned-up jacket to cover the baby bump.