The moment nobody saw coming last time Harry and Meghan headed Down Under

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are preparing to visit Australia for the first time since their milestone royal tour seven years ago.

As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex start packing their bags for their trip next month, we can't help but reminisce about the couple's first time Down Under – their royal tour in October 2018.

The trip started with a curious arrival at Sydney Airport, when Meghan stepped off the plane carrying two purple binders.

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While some observers deduced the former actress had been studying up ahead of her royal engagements, some eagle-eyed fans began speculating she was concealing a pregnancy.

We finally got an answer when, just hours after touching down and the day before their itinerary kicked off, the couple announced they were expecting their first child.

"Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public," they said in a statement from Kensington Palace.

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The statement was released just as a press briefing for journalists covering the royal tour wrapped up.

With that milestone announcement, Sydney, Australia became an important place in the pair's love story.

The trip also came just months after Harry and Meghan's wedding in May 2018, signalling their first major royal tour as a married couple.

Although Meghan was pregnant, she still endured the 16-day schedule that had been set out for them.

During their first trip, the royal newlyweds visited Sydney, Melbourne, K'gari (then Fraser Island) in Queensland and Dubbo in New South Wales.

They also attended the Invictus Games, which were being held in Sydney at the time.

This time around, the couple are visiting as private citizens, not for royal engagements.

ITV Royal Editor Chris Ship confirmed the news on X, formerly Twitter, revealing they are set to arrive in April.

"Confirmation from Harry & Meghan's office that they will visit Australia next month," he wrote.

"A spokesperson says the 'Duke and Duchess of Sussex will visit Australia in mid-April to take part in a number of private, business, and philanthropic engagements. Further details will be shared in due course.'"

The itinerary for the trip has not yet been disclosed.

Rumours have started to swirl that Meghan could do some media engagements during their visit, including appearing as a guest on the Her Best Life podcast, originally co-hosted by Jackie O and her friend Gemma O'Neill through their Besties venture.

Henderson recently quit the podcast, but she hinted she may return in the future – perhaps for the episode with the duchess.

Another possibility is Meghan could appear as a special guest at an upcoming Besties event, similar to what VIP speaker Gwyneth Paltrow did in 2023.

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