The Duke and Duchess make their entrance.
The black-tie dinner was hosted by the President of Fiji, Jioji Konrote. Harry and Meghan visited him and his wife at his official residence Borron Park earlier today.
During a speech, the President referenced the late Princess Diana saying she would she would be "proud" of the man Harry's become and the happiness he has found with Meghan.
The appearance follows a busy arrival in Fiji where Harry and Meghan received an incredibly warm welcome in Suva. Thousands lined the streets and gathered outside the hotel to catch a glimpse of them. The pair were all smiles as they arrived; they both appear to be enjoying this tour immensely. A Palace aide told royal reporter Russell Myers: "Their Royal Highnesses are absolutely relishing the tour and enjoying every moment. They have both said how much they are loving it and have been overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome and the people."
The Duke and Duchess met guests and officials.
A look at an invitation for the dinner.
The couple's deputy private secretary Amy Pickerell is pictured wearing black. She's been by Meghan's side throughout the tour.
During a speech Harry said: "It is a great pleasure for Meghan and me to be your guests here tonight on our first visit to Fiji. We were overwhelmed by the warm Fijian welcome we received from the people of these beautiful islands."
More from Harry's speech:
'We share Commonwealth values and common goals - a love of rugby and a sense of humour! Our ties run deep. Your soldiers fought with the British Armed Forces during the first and second world wars, and continue to serve alongside our soldiers to this day, with more than 1,250 Fijians currently serving. 'I must emphasise my respect, admiration and camaraderie with the Fijian soldiers that I served with in Afghanistan. We trained together, we fought together and, most importantly, we laughed together.'
This visit is particularly nostalgic for us as a young married couple - my grandparents stayed in this very hotel, the Grand Pacific, a number of times over the years. But this visit is also an opportunity to learn more about the future of Fiji, your economic growth, sustainable tourism development and social enterprises. We are really looking forward to meeting the students at the University of the South Pacific and the young leaders from all walks of life. The health and sustainability of this planet depends on the younger generation and they are full of optimism, so let's listen to them.'
The Grand Pacific Hotel has been a part of the South Pacific for over a century. Once established as the standard of luxury that was fit for royalty; now more than 100 years later, the Grand Pacific Hotel remains true to the ideals of delivering the best of old world charms, South Pacific hospitality and contemporary service.
Rebecca English shared the stats on past royal visits to Fiji:
'Harry and Meghan will be staying at the Grand Pacific Hotel, where the Queen also stayed in 1953. Since then Fiji has hosted 5 visits from the Queen in 1963, 1970, 1973, 1977 & 1982; three from Charles in 1970, 1985 and 2005; one from Andrew in 1998 and another from Anne in 2006.'
Tonight marked Meghan's first evening gown appearance since her wedding day and she certainly didn't disappoint.
The Duchess looked stunning in the Safiyaa Ginkgo Cape Dress. The £1,095 gown is described as: "Full-length fitted short sleeve cape dress with a long tailed back with a deep split and covered buttons, all in bluette stretch heavy crepe."
The 'Fijian blue' hue added a very nice touch of sartorial diplomacy.
London based brand Safiyaa was launched by creative director Daniela Karnuts in 2011. With a demanding career in fashion media, she needed a wardrobe that was sophisticated and polished, without being boring or dated. Searching for pieces that were flattering, combinable and travelled well led her to question why a man could go to London’s Savile Row for bespoke suiting yet a woman had to settle on fixed styles and colours. With a selection of 12 dresses and endless ambition, Daniela began her journey to fulfill her needs and those of women with similar desires as well. Named after her daughter, Safiyaa was started from there. The brand is described as "created for women by women".
As for Meghan's dazzling earrings, Emily Andrews reports: "The mystery of Meghan’s earrings... all KP will say is that they’re “borrowed”. From whom, they will not say. Most likely the Queen."
Meghan wore a shimmering bracelet that belonged to Diana.
The Telegraph reviewed the look:
'The black-tie dress code in Fiji called for a dressier look, and Meghan's floor-length dress by London label SAFiYAA delivered in spades. The simple lines of the dress and bold shade of blue made for a slick, modern style statement. Then - lest we think Meghan's look oversimplified - she added a pair of drop earrings featuring gobstopper-sized diamonds.
The colour seems to be another of Meghan's go-tos: she is often seen in shades of blue, and this particular dress was a near-perfect colour match for the Jason Wu dress that the Duchess wore to a gala concert for military veterans in September. But there could be more to the colour choice than that. The shade of blue is also very similar to that of the Fijian flag, which is symbolic of the surrounding Pacific ocean. Meghan hasn't always trodden the diplomatic-style line - her French wedding dress a case in point - but perhaps Tuesday's choice was a step in that direction.'
To view our post on Harry and Meghan's departure from Fraser Island click here. Our post on the couple's Fiji arrival and official welcome is here. The Duchess wore a dress by Australian brand Zimmermann and jewels with special royal connections.
Tomorrow's schedule, Wednesday 24 October:
- Harry will lay a wreath at the Fiji War Memorial, and meet a number of Fijian war veterans, some of whom served with the British Armed Forces. Links between the British Military and Fiji continue to this day with more than 1250 Fijians currently serving in the British Army.
- Their Royal Highnesses will then visit the University of the South Pacific campus in Suva, where they will observe a cultural performance on the effects of climate change, before meeting students studying subjects from agriculture to women’s development. The event will be streamed to a number of the university's campuses throughout the Pacific region. The Duke will make a short speech in his capacity as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, and The Duchess will say a few words.
- From here, Harry and Meghan's programme will split – The Duke will travel to Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, and The Duchess to the British High Commissioner’s Residence. Colo-i-Suva is an indigenous forest site housing many flora and fauna native to Fiji, and species including the Fiji Tree Frog. It is also Fiji's dedication to The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy. Before unveiling a plaque to mark its dedication and planting an endangered native tree, His Royal Highness will meet with school children, student conservators, representatives from sustainable tourism industries, and local landowners and villagers to see how the rainforest impacts upon their education and livelihoods.
- Meanwhile, The Duchess will attend a morning tea at the British High Commissioner’s Residence to showcase women's organisations which operate throughout Fiji. In particular, Her Royal Highness will hear more about a UN Women's project, 'Markets for Change', which promotes women's empowerment in marketplaces throughout the Pacific.
- The Duchess will then travel to Suva Market to meet some of the female vendors who have become empowered through the project.
What do you think of Meghan's first royal gown appearance? :)
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