Meghan's program in Australia reduces after an eventful start

SYDNEY – The pregnant Duchess of Sussex saw her schedule cut short during her first royal tour after a hectic visit to Australia and the South Pacific with her husband, Prince Harry.

The tour is extremely busy, with the royal couple attending more than 70 engagements during a 16-day trip across four countries.

Meghan, who is about 12 weeks pregnant, missed an event in Sydney on Sunday morning, leaving Harry to attend a cycling competition at the Invictus Games alone.

She then joined the Prince to attend sailing events and a reception hosted by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at lunch time.

Kensington Palace said the royal couple had taken steps to reduce Meghan's program before their visit to Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand during the second phase of their tour.

"After a busy schedule, the Duke and Duchess have decided to slightly reduce the Duchess's schedule for the next few days, before the last week and a half of the tour," the palace said in a statement.

The role Meghan envisioned on a planned trip to Fraser Island off the Queensland state in northern Australia on Monday was unclear. The palace communique simply stated that "the duke will continue his commitments on Fraser Island."

The couple is due to leave Australia on Tuesday for Fiji and Tonga. They will return to Sydney on Friday night for the final days of the Invictus Games, Harry's original idea and the center of their tour, before ending with a visit to New Zealand.

Harry spent a lot of time at the noon party chatting with competitors gathered for the Invictus Games, which gives sick and injured members and veterans the opportunity to participate in sports such as wheelchair basketball and find the 39, inspiration to recover.

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