Prince Harry and Meghan Markle touch down in Sydney ahead of royal tour

Words by Kristine Tarbert.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have touched down in Sydney ahead of their first major international royal tour.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex landed at Sydney International Airport just before 7am on Monday on a commercial Qantas flight.

Holding hands and beaming to cameras, the newlyweds were briefly seen walking out of a VIP exit and into an awaiting car.

Meghan looked relaxed in a navy and burgundy coat, over a black top, and had her hair styled straight. Harry, meanwhile, wore a casual jumper over a collared shirt.

It will be a low-key day for the couple ahead of the official start of their tour tomorrow, with Harry and Meghan staying at Admiralty House, the official Sydney residence of the Governor General.

Roads were cleared and traffic lights left green so the couple – accompanied by a police motorcade – could make their way directly to Admiralty House in Kirribilli without getting stuck in the peak hour rush.

As part of their 16-day tour, Harry and Meghan will spend time in Sydney, Dubbo, Melbourne and Queensland’s Fraser Island, and dedicate a lot of time to the Invictus Games, which will kick off on Saturday.

All eyes will be on Meghan during her visit Down Under and it could be life changing for Australian designers should the Duchess choose to wear their label.

During her 10 days in Australia, Meghan is likely to wear more than 30 outfits and will be joined by a hair stylist for the duration of the tour, as Kate did when she visited in 2014.

Wearing local designers is part and parcel for royals on tour, Amanda Dishaw of Meghan’s Mirror said, predicting the Duchess’ suitcase is filled with Australian designers.

Meghan has already shown support for Australian designers, donning a tiered tulle skirt and sheer-beaded bodice by Australian-born, London-based duo Ralph & Russo for the couple’s engagement photo shoot.

“A safe bet is Ralph & Russo … (but) we also think we could see some of the Australian brands Meghan herself has said she loves in the past like Bec & Bridge, Maurie & Eve, Ellery or Maticevski,” Amanda said.

In April, she wore a blazer by Sydney-based duo Camilla and Marc teamed with an Oroton cross-body bag to attend the Commonwealth Youth Forum reception in London.

Celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson predicts Meghan will again don Camilla and Marc, as well as Zimmermann, Scanlan Theodore and Rebecca Vallance.

“When I think of Meghan’s style I think it’s cool but conservative, fashion-forward but classic, and there are so many Australian brands that reflect this,” Lana told AAP.

While Meghan has become known for structured dresses, tailored suiting and elegant separates, Wilkinson expects some feminine, floaty dresses while visiting the sunshine state.

“For a day event, I can definitely see her in a floral number. For Fraser Island, she could definitely do a Zimmermann dress or even another feminine brand that’s big overseas like Alice McCall.”

Meanwhile, Alex Perry and Carla Zampatti have both reportedly sent garments to the duchess.

Lana predicts the “Markle effect” will be welcomed by the Australian fashion industry.

“This is a global stage, bigger than a huge celebrity wearing their label. It could literally be brand changing – life changing – for these designers,” she said.

Royal watchers will get their first glimpse of Meghan’s wardrobe on Tuesday morning when Governor-General Peter Cosgrove officially welcomes the royal couple to Sydney.

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