Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Australia, New Zealand tour

Britain's Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry arrive at the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition at the Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall in central London, Britain, July 17, 2018. Reuters/Hannah McKay

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will tour Australia and New Zealand in their first official international trip since becoming the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The royal couple will also visit Fiji and the Kingdom of Tonga starting next month.

On Monday, the Kensington Palace announced the couple’s autumn tour, which will be their first official international engagement together since getting married in May. The 16-day tour is built around the Invictus Games, an international multi-sport event created by Harry for the wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and veterans.

“The programme across these four Commonwealth countries will focus on youth leadership, environmental and conservation efforts — including the dedication of several new Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy projects — and the recovery and rehabilitation of servicemen and women through the Invictus Games Sydney 2018,” the statement reads.

The Duke and Duchess’ journey will begin on Oct. 16 in Sydney just in time for the opening of the 2018 Invictus Games. They then travel to Fiji on Oct. 23 and to Tonga on Oct. 25. They will be back in Australia on the 26^th. On Oct. 28, they will travel to Wellington and will visit Auckland and Rotorua next.

“Their visit will be an opportunity to promote the incredible achievements of Invictus athletes from around the world and showcase Australian programmes promoting youth leadership, environmental and conservation efforts, and will include a visit to a dedication to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy initiative on Fraser Island,” Australian Prime Minister Morrison said in a statement.

“I look forward to welcoming the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Australia next month.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, “It’s wonderful news that the Duke and Duchess are coming to New Zealand as part of their first major tour outside the United Kingdom. I know they will receive a very warm Kiwi welcome wherever they go.

“I hope many New Zealanders will have the opportunity to see the Duke and Duchess as they visit some of our beautiful provinces and national parks, and experience our hospitality.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s autumn tour outline: