Prince Harry’s affectionate term for his unborn baby

The birth of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s first child may be months away, but the Duke of Sussex is already showing strong paternal instincts.

On Monday, the pair made an appearance at the Abel Tasman National Park on the South Island of New Zealand, where a group of locals were on hand to inform the royals about local conservation projects.

Meghan and Harry were also given blessings by local kaumatuas (Maori elders) and a traditional welcome to a beachside region, which included the performance of a waiata (a New Zealand folk song).

After the performance, the Duke of Sussex personally thanked the locals for the hospitality they had shown himself, his wife and their "little bump".

"Thank you so much for having us today. The weather forecast was a lot worse than this and we are really fortunate to be here," Harry told the group.

"The rain is a blessing and a reminder of our connection to the land ... From my wife, myself and our little bump, it’s a blessing to be here ... We bring you greetings from my grandmother."

The adorable nickname is the first-time the son of Prince Charles has revealed an intimate detail about his first child.

After the ritual, Meghan and Harry joined DOC ranger Andrew Lamason for a stroll along the yellow sand beach, before joining local school children and youth volunteers for brownies and a tea.

"They were very nice, chatty and relaxed, " Motueka High School student Milan Chapman told Stuff NZ.

"They were just so calm. You see them on TV, but when you meet them, you realise they’re just normal people," remarked another pupil.