Meghan Markle wears striped Martin Grant dress for final Tonga engagements

Meghan Markle turned to stripes once again for her final engagements on Tonga.

The Duchess of Susbad wore a Martin Grant dress with a large bow covering her baby bump as she joined Prince Harry to meet the Tongan Prime Minister.

Harry and Meghan were met by more than 50 civil servants wearing red and black shirts and traditional outfits, as they entered the St George Government Buildings for a meeting with PM ʻAkilisi Pohiva and his cabinet.

One child held a sign saying “free hugs” which Meghan spotted and smiled.

The couple then took the lift to meet the Prime Minister, who was at last night’s black tie banquet with the Tongan royal family and the Susbades, with Harry asking “Did you enjoy last night? The entertainment was very good.”

The remainder of the meeting was held in private.

Meghan’s £1,062 cotton dress is from the SS 2019 Resort Collection. It is described as having a button-down silhouette, mandarin collar, circle skirt and belted accent at the waist. Meghan has previously worn a trench coat from the collection during this tour.

The couple then went on to see an exhibition of Tongan handicrafts and the oldest secondary school in the Pacific where two forest reserves will be dedicated to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy Project.

They will then fly to Sydney from Fua’amotu airport in the afternoon. And they are straight back into engagements in Australia as they attend the Australian Geographic Society Awards at the Shangri-La Hotel in the evening.

At last night’s banquet with King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u Nuku’alofa, Harry said he felt as if he was visiting “an extended family” and delivered a message from the Queen.

Her message was: “Your Majesties, it gives me great pleasure that my grandson and his wife are visiting The Kingdom of Tonga. Our two families have enjoyed a deep and warm friendship over many years, and I hope that our close relationship continues with the next generation.

“To this day, I remember with fondness Queen Salote’s attendance at my own Coronation, while Prince Philip and I have cherished memories from our three wonderful visits to your country in 1953, 1970 and 1977.

“In the months and years ahead, I wish Your Majesties and the people of Tonga every good fortune and happiness.”

The duke had high praise for Tonga’s talents in many different fields.

He said: “Tongan soldiers served with our allies during the First and Second World Wars and later independently to offer support in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Tongan hospitality is world renowned; your islands are stunningly beautiful offering tourists rugged coastlines, humpback whales and coral reefs.

“Tonga’s sporting prowess is legendary; you are formidable on the rugby pitch , and you were the first Pacific island nation to win a medal at the Olympics! Is there no end to your talents?

“Tongan artists such as Uili Lousi are winning international awards and your magnificent artefacts were a highlight at the recent Oceania exhibition in London, which my wife enjoyed very much when she opened it.

“For a small population you have a very large presence on the world stage – a product of your talent and drive. We are both so looking forward to meeting many of you tomorrow- learning more about your culture and development as a strong and independent country.”