The Duke and Duchess of Sussex carried out a final engagement in Tonga that was, in many ways, the headline of their jaunt to the country: unveiling the latest site of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy. The initiative is focused on forest conservation and the vast majority of Commonwealth countries have joined in.
Before the actual unveiling, the two were serenaded by the Tupou College Boys’ choir with a song about mosquitos that left Meghan in stitches.
Harry then went into the forest solo – it’s believed that Meghan stayed behind due to concerns over Zika. In fact, there’s been a lot of coverage of whether Meghan should have traveled to Fiji and Tonga, countries in which there is a present, if minimal, risk for the virus. Prior to their arrival and the pregnancy announcement, a considerable number of articles assumed that all such plans would be on hold until after this tour.
It’s been impressed to reporters that Meghan’s travel was undertaken with doctors’ advice in consideration, however her bowing out of the trek through the forest was likely with that in mind.
Finally, the two gave a final farewell to their hosts, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u. A few commented that Meghan’s curtsy was on the shallow side – if I had to guess I would say that the idea of curtsying at all is still a bit foreign and awkward to the Duchess, and she may have been unsure as to the timing or exact protocol. Personally, I don’t think it’s a big deal. It’ll come more naturally with time.
Meghan chose a bright blue silk day dress by Veronica Beard, a designer debut for her. She paired it with suede Banana Republic heels and Adina Reyter earrings. I thought this was a gorgeous color on Meghan and a huge win. Easily one of my favorite looks of the tour, and it may well be one of my favorites from HRH thus far.
With that, the couple have returned to Sydney and will then head off to the final leg of their tour in New Zealand.