A pregnancy announcement has kicked off Prince Harry and wife Meghan's first royal tour, with a tweet revealing the news hours after the couple landed in Sydney.
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A beaming Meghan Markle clasped a number of burgundy folders, sparking speculation she was hiding a baby bump, as she and Prince Harry walked out of the airport on Monday.
Holding hands and casually dressed, the couple went through the back entrance and out to a waiting car.
Meghan, wearing skinny black pants and a black, burgundy trimmed coat, was smiling, while Harry gave a thumbs up to bystanders.
Days after watching Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie tie the knot in a lavish ceremony in Windsor, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down on an overcast Monday morning.
On Monday evening, Kensington Palace tweeted: "Their Royal Highnesses 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."
The palace said the couple had "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 baby will be seventh in line to the throne, and the Queen's eighth great-grandchild.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed the announcement, saying it was "fantastic news".
"Australia is thrilled for you both. Looking forward to sharing in the joy during your stay down under," he tweeted on Monday evening.
Upon landing, a police motorcade whisked them away to Admiralty House where dozens of locals were waiting to greet them.
The royal couple waved as they drove through the gates of the governor-general's residence in Kirribilli, just after 8am.
They spent the day recovering from the flight and preparing for their first full day of engagements.
The royal duo have 76 engagements across 16 days in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, which will include Sydney, Dubbo, Melbourne and Queensland's Fraser Island.
Tuesday will be the first opportunity for the public to interact with the couple and congratulate them on the happy news.
They will be officially welcomed by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove before visiting Taronga Zoo and the Opera House.
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian said she looked forward to welcoming the couple in Sydney, sending her well wishes via a tweet: "Very pleased to hear the news that their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting their first child. Congratulations."
The royal tour coincides with the Invictus Games in Sydney, which kicks off on Saturday and runs for a week.
The sporting event founded by Prince Harry in 2014 gives sick and injured service personnel and war veterans the opportunity to compete in sports such as wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.
The couple will attend the Games' launch and closing ceremony.
The tour is considered significant for the royal couple, who have spoken of their desire to promote humanitarian causes across the Commonwealth.
The visit comes six months after Prince Charles made his 16th official visit to Australia and opened the 21st Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Australian Associated Press
