Prince Harry and Meghan meet fans outside Sydney Opera House - and then spend time with a koala

With the Sydney Opera House in the background, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan meet Australian Governor-General Peter Cosgrove. AFP

Prince Harry and his Meghan look at bush hats with Australia's Governor General Peter Cosgrove and his wife. AP Photo

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan walk at the Sydney Opera House. Reuters

Prince Harry and Meghan are seen meeting Ruby, a mother Koala who gave birth to koala joey Meghan, named after Her Royal Highness, with a second joey named Harry, during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Reuters

A royal fan climbs a lamppost to get a glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan as they conduct a meet the people walk at the Sydney Opera House. EPA

Royal fans wearing face masks of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Sydney Opera House. EPA

Meghan receives native flowers from 4-year-old Findlay Blue after she and Prince Harry officially opened the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. AP Photo

Prince Harry and Meghan wave as they arrive at the Opera House in Sydney. AP Photo

Meghan meets an echidna held by Dr Michelle Shaw, during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney. AP Photo

Prince Harry and Meghan watch the rehearsal of Spirit 2018 being performed by the Bangarra Dance Theatre company during a visit to the Sydney Opera House. AFP

Prince Harry smiles as he meets people outside the Sydney Opera House. AFP

Meghan smiles as she meets with people outside the Sydney Opera House. AFP

Meghan smiles as she meets with people outside the Sydney Opera House. AFP

Police snipers are seen atop the Sydney Opera House. Reuters

A beaming Duke and Duchess of Sussex thrilled thousands of fans outside the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday during their first meeting with the general public since the announcement that they are soon to be parents.

Prince Harry and Meghan spent longer than the 20 minutes allocated in their schedule to speak to and shake hands with as many well-wishers as possible. Meghan, wearing a beige trench coat over a sleeveless cream dress by Australian designer Karen Gee, accepted cards and flowers from an enthusiastic crowd.

The news of the pregnancy was announced after the couple arrived in Sydney on Monday and 15 hours before their first public appearance. The two are on a 16-day tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand that their Kensington Palace staff said would not be altered despite confirmation that the American former actress is pregnant.

Among those taken by surprise by the announcement were their Sydney hosts, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Lynne Cosgrove. The governor-general, who represents Queen Elizabeth II, Australia's head of state and Harry's grandmother, sent staff to hastily buy a toy kangaroo with a joey in its pouch and a tiny pair of Australian sheep skin boots for their pregnant guest.

"Here's your first gift for the nursery," the governor-general told the couple during the official welcome at his official residence, Admiralty House.

"Thank you, that's so sweet," Meghan said as she received the toy.

Outside the Opera House on Tuesday, Harry lingered longest with war widow Daphne Dunne, 98, whom he hugged as they chatted.

______________

Read more:

Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle is pregnant, Kensington Palace confirms

Celebrities post pictures on social media from Princess Eugenie's royal wedding at Windsor Castle

______________

It was the third time that they had met since Harry's eye caught sight of a Victoria Cross medal on her chest during a Sydney visit in 2015. She explained that her first husband Albert Chowne had been given the highest award in the British honours system after he died in Papua New Guinea in 1945.

Before Megan donned her coat, her tight-fitting dress barely revealed a bump as they were welcomed at the first event of the day at the Sydney Harbour-side mansion where the two are staying.

The main focus of that engagement was to meet Invictus Games representatives from the 18 countries competing in the event that starts 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.

The couple later travelled by boat to Taronga Park Zoo where they opened a research centre and met two 10-month old koalas that had been named after them.

They watched an indigenous dance company rehearse inside the Opera House before meeting the public.

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

Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37 — along with Prince William and his wife, Kate, the duchess of Cambridge — have stepped to the fore in the last year as the 92-year-old queen slightly reduces her public schedule.