Baby on board! Beaming Meghan and Harry set sail for their first official engagements in Australia including the Opera House and Sydney zoo - hours after revealing their baby joy

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex couldn't hide their delight as they stepped onto a boat to take a tour around Sydney Harbour this morning - hours after revealing their joyous baby news.

The beaming couple looked the epitome of cool as they stepped onto the boat, with Prince Harry lovingly holding onto his pregnant wife's hand as he helped her onto the vessel. 

They enjoyed a packed day of engagements, which included being introduced to their koala namesakes and a 'stud' of a short-legged echidna, as they admired the 'so cute' wildlife of Taronga Zoo. 

After the short tour, the Duke and Duchess went to unveil a plaque commentating the opening of a research centre. 

Departing, the couple were treated to a ride in a gondola, giving spectacular views over Sydney Harbour and allowing a glimpse of other animal enclosures, including a curious baby elephant.

After the Duchess changed into flat shoes, they walked the short journey down a ramp and out of the zoo, catching a ferry - made private for the occasion - to the Sydney Opera House surrounded by armed security.

The royal couple were greeted by a sea of well-wishers at the Opera House, where they mingled with the crowd. Meghan shared a touching moment with one young girl, and said: 'Thank you all for the big welcome.'

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wave to thousands of royal fans who turned out in Sydney for day two of their Australian tour

The royal couple looked the epitome of cool as they stepped onto the boat, with Prince Harry lovingly holding his wife's hand and helping her onboard 

Crew members on board the vessel await the arrival of the parents-to-be, before taking them on a trip across Sydney Harbour 

The Duke and Duchess looked effortlessly chic as they strode towards the boat in Sydney Harbour 

The royal couple were greeted by a sea of well-wishers at the Opera House, where they mingled with the crowd

After their zoo visit, the couple strolled down a walkway towards Sydney Harbour to take a boat towards from the Man O'War Steps, the landing point for British and Australian fleets for 150 years

At Taronga Zoo, the couple were invited to stroke two koalas and their joeys, who were named Harry and Meghan in honour of the royal wedding in May.

The Duchess called the animals 'so, so sweet', shyly touching a koala named Ruby who sat sleepily on a lower branch in the small, open enclosure.

The Duke was more forthcoming, reaching to pet the koala with the encouragement of keepers, and admiring their healthy coats and quizzing keeper Suzie MacNamara about their diet and sleeping habits.

The couple were also shown wallabies and quokkas in their enclosures, leaning on the zoo's low fences to admire them and watch them being fed.

Accompanied by the premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian, they spent around five minutes with the koalas, Ruby and Wattle, whose joeys were named Meghan and Harry as a wedding gift from the people of the region.

In a private moment away from the cameras, they couple were also given a stuffed toy version of the animal in celebration of their baby news.

In a research laboratory at the zoo, they were also introduced to Lynx, a short-legged echidna being studied

Dr Phoebe Meagher, research and pathology coordinator, told the couple that the animal is the 'star' of their recent project, which helps tackle the illegal wildlife trade.

Showing them the ID tags, Michelle Shaw, wildlife nutritionist, said he is a breeding male, joking: 'He's kind of a stud, he's had two babies.'

The Duke seemed concerned about the animal's wellbeing in a room full of cameras, asking of its nose: 'The snot, is that a good thing or stress?'

'It's ok, he's drooling out of excitement,' the scientists told him. 'And he's just been fed.'

After being invited to pet the echidna, the Duchess tentatively stroked its spines, which are used to track the animals and monitor their diet.

The scientific research will allow those tackling the illegal wildlife trade to better pinpoint where animals are coming from.

'Oh well done,' said the Duchess, hearing about the research of the four female scientists. 'Congratulations, that's really impressive.'   

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out in Australia today for the first day of engagements during their tour - which coincided with Meghan announcing she was pregnant. Meghan was seen wearing Diana's butterfly earrings and bracelet as she and Harry made their way down to the Man O'War steps to take a boat across Sydney Harbour

The royals climbed aboard a water transfer - Admiral Hudson flying the White ensign of the Royal Australian Navy - after the visit to Taronga Zoo for a 20 minute crossing of the harbour to the Sydney Opera house

The Duke and Duchess met four-year-old Findlay Blue and six-year-old Dasha Gallagher as they officially opened the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning

The resident koala looked distinctly unimpressed by the royal visitors, who were at the zoo to open its new institute of Science and Learning

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met up with war widow Daphne Dunne, who Harry has met on two previous occasions

The royal couple beamed as they received a bouquet of flowers from some children after opening Taronga Zoo's Institute of Science and Learning

Meghan looked delighted to meet with royal watchers outside the Sydney Opera House, despite it being a blustery afternoon

Harry and Meghan also met Lynx, a short legged echinda. The couple asked if he was drooling because he's stressed, and are told no, he's 'excited to see them'

Earlier, Meghan and Harry were at Admiralty House, the official Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia, where they are staying for the first few days of their marathon 16-day Commonwealth trip

The couple met Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and his wife, Lady Cosgrove. They gave the couple a toy Kangaroo and its Joey, to which Meghan exclaimed: 'Our first baby gift!' Harry also looked delighted with a pair of baby Uggs, which were originally worn by surfers when they emerged from the sea before becoming fashionable

Masked police snipers are seen setting up on the roof of the Sydney Opera House as they prepare for the arrival of the royal couple 

Admiralty House - where Meghan and Harry are pictured today - is located in the suburb of Kirribilli, on the northern foreshore of Sydney Harbour and enjoys spectacular views over the world famous shoreline 

Meghan and Harry who married in St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in May of this year were hand in hand when they met with Australia's Governor General Peter Cosgrove and wife Lynne Cosgrove at Admiralty House

 The couple were formally welcomed to Australia by his Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife, Lady Cosgrove, on the lawns of the historic building, which offers spectacular views across Sydney Harbour

Harry ditched the tie, while Meghan donned a beige trench coat as the pair visited Sydney's Taronga Zoo on Tuesday morning

Pregnant Meghan took in the views of the Sydney Opera House just hours after arriving in the country, while the news broke at home she and Prince Harry will be parents in the Spring of 2019

Among the places on the couple's itinerary in the coming days are Fiji, Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington and Abel Tasman

The Duke and Duchess spent several minutes chatting with the Governor-General on the lawn before Meghan, who has now been to Australia before, admired the view 

Meghan was reportedly wearing Australian designer Karen Gee's 'blessed dress' on the first day of the tour with her husband 

 Meghan looked resplendent in a figure-hugging white dress by Australian designer Karen Gee, while Harry opted for a smart navy suit and skinny tie

The Duchess of Sussex appeared to be enjoying the beginning of the overseas tour with her husband who she wed in May as she laughed and joked with him on the lawn

The couple's visit to Australia and the South Pacific coincides with the start of the Invictus Games which is being held in Sydney this year. Prince Harry founded the competition for wounded soldiers and veterans to improve their quality of life after the armed forces. Eighteen nations will take place in the Games from October 20 until October 27

Crowds gathered in Australia to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their royal tour as they made their way from the harbour area to Taronga Zoo

Sydney's streets were lined with police as the British royal couple made their way from Admiralty House to Taronga Zoo on Tuesday. The couple have been in meetings since they landed in Sydney where the time is ten hours ahead of the UK 

Police were also out on the water of Sydney Harbour as part of a massive security operation to ensure Meghan and Harry's safety

Earlier, the mother and father-to be were at Admiralty House, the official Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia, where they are staying for the first few days of their marathon 16-day Commonwealth trip.  

The couple were given presents of a kangaroo and her joey - 'our first baby gift!' Meghan exclaimed. And Harry coed over a tiny pair of Ugg boots. 'These are awesome,' he said.

Also present were flag-bearing representatives from each of the eighteen countries who are participating in the Invictus Games Sydney 2018, Harry's inspirational competition for injured service personnel which he will formally open at the weekend. 

The Duke and Duchess joined in on an official group photograph before an 'official call' with the Governor General and Lady Cosgrove, whom they met when they arrived from London the previous day.

Several congratulated them on their happy news, 'Thank you so much,' said Meghan. 'We are very excited.'

The dignitaries also presented Harry and Meghan with the Akubras - traditional wide-brimmed Australian hats - gifted to them on the occasion of their wedding in May.

Admiralty house is the official Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia, the Queen's official representative in the country of which she is still head of state.

It is located in the suburb of Kirribilli, on the northern foreshore of Sydney Harbour.

Its name originated from the fact that it served as the residence for the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Navy's Australia Squadron from 1885 to 1913 MF. 

The couple started by walking down the veranda to view the flags of each of the Invictus countries taking part. When congratulated by the media on their happy news, Harry smiled shyly and said 'thanks'. 

They also accepted good wishes from dignitaries including the Premier of New South Wales, the Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP. 

'Thank you, that's very kind,' said Meghan. The couple posed for a photograph on the croquet lawn with the Governor General and his wife with the magnificent backdrop of Sydney Opera House behind them.

The duchess, who hasn't been to Australia before, marvelled at the view. The foursome were then joined by the Invictus representatives for another group photograph and chatted with them for a few minutes before walking into the house to sign the visitor's book. 

Harry sat down first, followed by Meghan, and the prince watched on proudly as his wife, a former calligrapher, signed with a flourish.  

The couple sat down to talk with Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove and and Lady Cosgrove at Admiralty House where they will be staying over the coming days. A reception dinner will take place at the residence to end the first day of their tour

Inside Admiralty House's sitting room, Meghan was handed a cuddly kangaroo with a Joey in its pouch, and Harry a pair of tiny Ugg boots 

Prince Harry appeared rather amused with the official gift for his unborn child - whose birth was reportedly announced to friends and family at Princess Eugenie's wedding, last Friday 

The smiling Duchess of Sussex was beaming as she received the gift on the first day of what will be a sixteen-day tour around Australia and the South Pacific

The Duke and Duchess were also handed a pair of traditional Australian wife-brimmed Australian Akubras hats as a belated wedding gift

An amused Prince Harry inspected the small Joey inside the Kangaroo pouch as his pregnant wife the Duchess of Sussex held onto their first baby gift, just hours after the couple officially announced they are expecting their first child 

Meghan was clutching two purple folders as she stepped off the plane in Sydney on Monday morning, while Prince Harry wore a grey jumper over a smart shirt

The itinerary of the royal couple's tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, the first major overseas trip since they were married in late May 

Inside the mansion's sitting room, the couple immediately spied a large cuddly kangaroo sitting on the table with, appropriately, a Joey in its pouch. 

They laughed as they saw it, Meghan exclaiming: 'That's so cute, our first baby gift!' 'There you are, ' said Sir Peter, as Harry leant forward to examine the Joey. 'And this is your second,' the Governor-General continued, as his wife handed the prince a pair of tiny Ugg boots.

'Very Australian Ugg boots,' said Lady Cosgrove. 'These are awesome,' said Harry as he posed for the cameras holding them. The couple were also handed a pair of traditional Australian wife-brimmed Australian Akubras hats as a belated wedding gift.

'When you go to Dubbo you'll see some of these,' said Sir Peter. 'Thank you so much,' said Meghan. The four then sat down for a half hour official meeting. 'Your Royal Highnesses, welcome to Australia,' said Sir Peter, 'may we on behalf of all Australians congratulate you both on the announcement that you are expecting a baby. 

We are delighted, it's amazing, and I know that the people who are already excited to see you will just be enthralled by the fact of this wonderful news.'

After thanking him Harry said: 'Thank you very much for having us and letting us stay in your wonderful house. And thank you very much for organising the weather! Let's hope the rain stays off!' 

Ready for battle! The UK's 72-strong Invictus Games squad takes off to join Harry and Meghan in Sydney for the competition

Dozens of sick and wounded ex-forces personnel are on their way to Sydney to compete for their country in the annual Invictus Games.

Competing against 17 other nations the 72-strong UK team will battle for medals in eleven sports across Greater Sydney, including at Sydney Olympic Park and on and around Sydney Harbour.

Those selected for the squad include veterans and wounded, injured and sick (WIS) military personnel.

British Airways give the UK's Invictus Games Sydney 2018 squad a special send off at Heathrow as they head to Sydney 

The team will be in Australia at the same time as Prince Harry, founder of the games.

The Duke of Sussex arrive with his pregnant wife Meghan, earlier on Monday.

Captain of Team UK, Mark 'Dot' Perkins said: 'Today is the culmination of months of careful preparation by all 72 competitors and the many staff, friends and family who have supported us. The next two weeks will demonstrate the unique power of sport to support recovery. Team UK are ready, raring to go and enjoying the camaraderie which the Armed Forces is famous for.'

The opening ceremony will be on October 20 at the Sydney Opera House with the games taking place over seven days.

The UK's squad was selected from 451 applicants. The selection process takes into account the benefit a person will get from competing.

Team UK has been delivered through a partnership of Help for Heroes, The Royal British Legion and the Ministry of Defence.

The Invictus squad for 2018 is made up of veterans and injured military personnel, with the competitors selected from 451 applicants 

Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson wished the team well.

He said: 'I wish all of our UK competitors the best of luck in Australia. The word 'Invictus' means unconquered and perfectly embodies the fighting spirit of our Armed Forces and ex-service personnel. Meeting many Invictus competitors this year I learnt how sport is spurring on recovery.

'Our Armed Forces have a world-class attitude and I am sure they will make their mark.'

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The royal couple arrived on Monday on a Qantas A380 flight from London via Singapore, and touched down at Sydney Airport to be greeted by hundreds of supporters. 

Meghan, wearing skinny black pants and a black, burgundy trimmed coat, was smiling and clutching folders, while Harry gave a thumbs up to bystanders.

The couple is due to spend a week in Australia, the Duchess of Sussex's first ever trip Down Under, before jetting to Fiji on October 23 where they will spend two days.

On Sunday, October 28 they will cross the Tasman Sea to New Zealand, visiting Wellington, the Abel Tasman National Park, Auckland and Rotorua before heading home on Wednesday, October 31.

The announcement of the pregnancy confirmed weeks of speculation from royal watchers about why Meghan was not joining Harry on his Sydney Harbour Bridge climb set for Friday.

Sydney's weather is expected to be drizzly and cool on today, with showers forecast for most of the week.

This won't be the first time Harry has had to brave the rain in Sydney. Last year, he made a whirlwind visit to cast his eye over the Invictus Games preparations, where he charmed his fans during torrential rain.

The tour coincides with the games, which start in Sydney on Saturday. The sporting event, founded by Harry in 2014, gives sick and injured military personnel and veterans the opportunity to compete in sports such as wheelchair basketball.

Harry and Meghan will attend the games' opening and closing ceremonies. In all, they have 76 engagements scheduled over 16 days in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.

The royal couple's visit comes six months after Harry's father, Prince Charles, made his 16th official visit to Australia, primarily to open the 21st Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast city in Queensland.

'He couldn't be happier': Prince Harry is an 'emotional wreck but in a good way' say insiders after he and Meghan announce they're expecting the baby 'he's wanted for a long time' 

By Rebecca English

Prince Harry is 'happier than he has ever been' as he and Meghan prepare to become parents next spring.

He has been an 'emotional wreck - but in a good way!' since discovering the Duchess of Sussex is pregnant, one source said last night.

'It is something he has wanted for a long time and he couldn't be happier. He is so protective of her,' the source added.

The news was announced by Kensington Palace yesterday after the smiling couple arrived in Sydney for the start of a gruelling 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

Meghan walking out of Sydney Airport on Monday ahead of the news of her pregnancy announced a day later 

They insisted on going ahead with the trip in spite of Foreign Office advice to pregnant women about the risk of the Zika virus. There is no vaccination to prevent infection by the virus, which causes foetuses to develop severe deformities, but the couple will still travel to Fiji and Tonga next week,

Last night it emerged:

• Meghan's mother Doria Ragland was among the first to know - likely told in person when she visited London last month.

• Miss Ragland was 'very happy about this lovely news' and 'looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild'.

• Meghan's estranged father Thomas Markle is 'absolutely delighted' and told her by letter: 'You will make a great mother'. Kensington Palace refused to comment on whether Meghan had told her father directly.

• The baby will be seventh in line to the throne and likely be titled Earl of Dumbarton or Lady (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor unless the Queen bestows prince or princess on them.

• Moments after the baby announcement, Sarah Ferguson began tweeting a series of pictures from her daughter Princess Eugenie's wedding day last Friday – leading some to question if she felt upstaged.

Meghan, 37, has 'just' had her 12-week scan, the Mail understands. It means she is already in her second trimester, when the risk of miscarriage is deemed to lessen considerably.

The couple excitedly told the rest of the Royal Family last Friday when they saw them at Princess Eugenie's wedding.

The joyous news sets the seal on a whirlwind year for Harry, 34, who in recent years has made no secret of his desire to settle down and start a family.

It is only 12 months since the couple stepped out together in public for the first time, when they appeared together at the Invictus Games in Toronto. At the time, Meghan was still living full-time in Canada, although preparing to move to London, and the couple were not even engaged.

After Harry popped the question at the end of last year, they married in May and just two months later, towards the end of July, conceived their first child.

In mid-July, Harry and Meghan were on a 'mini-moon' royal tour to Dublin, their first trip together as a married couple. And on August 4, they were partying at the wedding of Harry's best friend Charlie Van Straubenzee.

Yesterday a Kensington Palace spokesman said the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were all 'delighted for the couple'.

'They were able to share their happy news with the Royal Family in person at Friday's wedding,' said an aide, which may have accounted for their low-key appearance at the nuptials.

A friend added: 'They didn't make a grand announcement but had conversations with their family and friends and told them their news.'

Meghan is said to be in 'good health' and has not had to cancel any public appearances because of her pregnancy, unlike the Duchess of Cambridge who sadly suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, a several form of pregnancy-related sickness.

Her pregnancy is likely to be monitored closely, however, as by the age of 35 any woman expecting a baby is technically classed by doctors as a 'geriatric mother'.

The couple's tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga will be highly demanding. It includes opening the prince's inspirational Invictus Games for injured service personnel in Sydney later this week.

Harry and Meghan have insisted their trip to the two most remote South Pacific islands will go ahead despite the risk of Zika there, which can cause abnormalities in foetuses. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises pregnant women to avoid 'all but essential travel' there. 

Kensington Palace announced via Twitter on Monday that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting a baby in the spring

A source told the Mail last night: 'It's early days but everything seem to be progressing well and there won't be changes to the Duchess's diary. She has a busy tour ahead of her.' 

It is believed one of the first to know about the pregnancy was Meghan's mother, whom friends suspect she told in person when she came to visit her in London last month.

In a statement issued through Kensington Palace - no less - Miss Ragland said she was 'very happy about this lovely news' and 'looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild'.

Speculation has raged in recent months that the yoga teacher and geriatric therapist would move to London permanently to support her daughter - and now her grandchild too. 

It emerged she gave up her full-time role as a social worker in May, then last month she was spotted taking baby-care classes in Pasadena, California, with reports in some international media claiming it was because Meghan does not want to hire a nanny.

But senior royal aides played down any suggestion Miss Ragland would move to London, with one telling the Mail: 'This is just not true.' Another added: 'Meghan is very close to her mother and they see each other as much as they possibly can. Once the baby is born, of course Doria will be keen to visit her grandchild frequently. But she has her own life and home in LA, with her dogs, and it will continue that way.'

Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, from whom she is estranged after a series of hugely public embarrassments, is believed to have been informed by Miss Ragland 'a little while ago', said a friend, and is 'absolutely overjoyed' at the news.

Last year, asked if they had plans to try for a baby, Harry replied: 'Not currently, no,' garnering a laugh from his then wife to be. 'Of course, one step at a time and hopefully we'll start a family in the near future,' he added.

Around the time she met the prince, in the spring of 2016, Meghan gave an interview to Best Health Canada when she said becoming a mother was 'on her bucket list', adding: 'I can't wait to start a family, but in due time.'

In its statement yesterday, Kensington Palace said: 'Their Royal Highness the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the spring of 2019.

'Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.'

The couple's new baby will be seventh in line to the throne but will not be a prince or princess because of rules brought in by George V. Instead, a son would be styled the Earl of Dumbarton, one of Harry's lesser titles, and a daughter Lady (first name) Mountbatten-Windsor.