Royal tour: Meghan takes morning off as Harry goes solo in Sydney

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Meghan and HarryImage source, Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have decided to cut back Meghan's schedule "slightly" during their tour of Australia, Kensington Palace says.

Meghan, who is pregnant, spent the morning resting, while Harry gave out medals to Invictus Games athletes.

Flying solo with fellow ex-servicemen, Harry could not resist trying on a gift pair of tight swimming trunks, known as budgie smugglers, over his trousers.

The duchess then joined the prince for engagements later in the day.

The couple, who are expecting a child next spring, have 76 events on their schedule during their 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

Meghan pulled out of the morning's activities after the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games overran by nearly two hours on Saturday night.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said: "After a busy programme, the duke and duchess have decided to cut back the duchess's schedule slightly for the next couple of days, ahead of the final week-and-a-half of the tour."

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

One of the Invictus Games athletes asks Harry to sign a pair of swimming trunks

Prince Harry went alone to meet competitors of the road cycling at Sydney's Domain on day two of the Games.

The event, founded by the prince in 2014, sees injured service personnel from 18 countries compete in 11 sports over eight days.

The Duke of Sussex later showed off his sense of humour by signing an athlete's swimming trunks, and even modelling a pair presented to him over his jeans.

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The trunks were given to him by disabled sports presenter Dylan Alcott and two members of the Australian Invictus Games team at Admiralty House, where the royal couple are staying in Sydney.

Mr Alcott, a triple Paralympic gold medallist in wheelchair tennis and wheelchair basketball, said: "We gave him a gift. One of the athletes, Matt (Model), gave him a pair of budgie smugglers. And he put them on, over his jeans. It looks awesome.

"He said: 'Shall I put them on?' We said: '100%.' So he put them on. Good on him."

Meghan then joined her husband at a reception for Invictus competitors, their families and friends hosted by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Meghan rejoins her husband after resting during the morning

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

The royal couple took in some sailing on day two of the Invictus Games

Image source, Getty Images

The couple will next travel to Fraser Island, off the coast of Queensland, with a visit to Lake McKenzie planned on Monday.