Meghan Markle visits the Duchess of Sussex market in Fiji shortened for security reasons

Thousands of people would have waited for hours to see the Duchess, pregnant with the first child of the royal couple. Crowds cheered and sang and waved British and American flags as she made her way through the market, greeting the sellers.

Before she was taken away by security, Meghan met with members of the UN's "A Marketplace for Change" project, which aims to promote a safe and inclusive environment for vendors in several countries around the world. South Pacific.

While Meghan was visiting the market and was drinking tea at the British High Commissioner's residence, her husband, Prince Harry, went to the Colo-i-Suva Forest, which is now part of the Queen & # 39; Commonwealth Canopy, a conservation initiative designed to protect native forests.

The prince also took part in a ceremony at the National War Memorial, which commemorates Fijian and British troops.

Duke and Duchess tour the region in several countries. After several days in Australia, the couple flew to Fiji on Tuesday, where they were warmly welcomed by the locals who made their way to the airport despite the rain. The couple will travel to Tonga and New Zealand before returning to Australia.

Royal return

The visit comes 65 years after Harry's grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, visited the island nation after the Queen's coronation.

Harry and Meghan stayed in the same hotel as the Queen and Prince Philip in 1953, the Grand Pacific Hotel, and greeted supporters of the hotel's balcony before attending a banquet held in their honor. by the country's president, Jioji Konrote.

During an official visit to the University of the South Pacific, both spoke, and Meghan delivered a speech in favor of education and women's rights.

"Everyone should have the opportunity to receive the education that they want, but especially the education that they have the right to receive." And for women and girls in developing countries development, this is vital, "she said, dressed in a traditional South Pacific lei.

The Prince warned of the dangers of climate change, recognizing its effects on low-lying island islands in the Pacific.

"We know that young people are the future of the Commonwealth (…) you will be the most affected by the global challenges we all face, but you are the leaders who create the solutions," he said. declared.

"One of the biggest challenges is undoubtedly climate change and all of you who live here are facing this threat in your daily life."