Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry's 16-day tour of Australia and the South Pacific continues.
The duke and duchess began their first full day in Tonga with a visit to the St. George Government Building to meet the prime minister of Tonga, Akilisi Pohiva, and other cabinet members.
The stylish newlyweds donned semiformal attire for the affair. Meghan looked stunning in a green-and-white striped cotton dress by Australian designer Martin Grant, with matching green suede pumps and a Prada clutch. Prince Harry looked equally dapper in a light blue suit.
They were gifted with flower garlands before visiting an exhibition of Tongan products and handicrafts, including traditional mats and "tapa" cloth. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex greeted local craftsmen and traders, plus youngsters offering free hugs.
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After a quick outfit change, the royals toured the oldest secondary school in the Pacific, Tupou College.
Donning a dress by American designer Veronica Beard, Duchess Meghan laughed with students and helped her husband dedicate two forest reserves at the school's on-site forest, the Toloa Forest Reserve.
Prince Harry said Friday that Tonga is leading by example and "understands deeply" the impact of environmental changes because the islands are directly affected. Harry said planting trees and conserving forests is a simple but effective way to improve the environment and protect wildlife.
Expectant Duchess Meghan's visit to the Tongan forest comes amid a "Alert - Level 2" Zika warning in Tonga, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health officials say the Zika virus, which can cause birth defects, is present in mosquitoes in the island nation. The expectant mother will deliver the couple's first child in the spring.
From Tupou College, the couple headed to The Royal Palace where they said goodbye to the king before leaving for Sydney for the final day of the Invictus Games, Harry's brainchild and the focus of their tour. The couple will then finish their trip with a four-day visit to New Zealand.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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