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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle touch down in Tonga for third leg of whirlwind royal tour

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at Fua'amotu airport, in Tonga, for the next part of their royal tour (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Tonga today for the third leg of their Commonwealth tour, to be welcomed by a colourful Pacific island ceremony.

Prince Harry and Meghan were greeted at Fua'amotu Airport by Princess Angelika Latufuipeka, the daughter of King Tupou VI.

The were also greeted by a huge red sign saying “Welcome Harry & Meghan” as well as traditional singers and dancing.

Schoolchildren in Tonga have also given the royal couple the warmest of welcomes.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive at Fua'amotu airport in Tonga (AFP/Getty Images)

Dressed in their school uniforms and waving Tongan flags the youngsters as well as other local lined the route from the airport for 10 miles cheering as the procession of cars past.

Later Harry and Meghan visited the Consular House for a private audience with His Majesty King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu.

This was followed by an official Reception and Dinner, and traditional Tongan entertainment.

It comes after the duke and duchess bade farewell to Fiji with one engagement, before embarking on the next leg of their Commonwealth tour.

The royal couple flew from the capital Suva to Nadi, in the west, to unveil a new statue commemorating Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba, a British-Fijian soldier who died heroically in battle.

Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba, a Fijian member of the elite British Special Air Service (SAS), single-handedly held off 250 attackers from taking an army base 46 years ago.

Labalaba, renowned as one of the SAS's greatest heroes, gave his life in an epic struggle to defend his fellow soldiers at the Battle of Mirbat, in what is now Yemen, in 1972.

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