Harry and Meghan’s royal tour hits Tonga

Prince Harry and Meghan’s tour of the Pacific continued yesterday when the British royals arrived to a lavish welcome in the island kingdom of Tonga, the region’s only monarchy. After jetting in from Fiji, the couple were greeted at the airport by Princess Angelika Latufuipeka and quickly departed for a private audience with Tonga’s King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u.

Thousands of children, many wearing traditional ta’ovala mats around their waists, lined the 13 kilometre (eight mile) route into the capital Nuku’alofa, dancing and cheering as the royal motorcade passed. Harry and his American-born wife then met Tonga’s rulers, whose royal lineage stretches back 1,000 years, eclipsing Britain’s House of Windsor.

A reception featuring Tongan dance and culture followed, with the British royals set to attend a string of engagements Friday before leaving after spending less than 24 hours in the country