Delighted Meghan Markle and Prince Harry showered with royal baby gifts as they begin Australia tour just hours after revealing pregnancy

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex could not hide their delight as they stepped out on the first official engagement of their Australia tour - just hours after revealing their baby news.

Harry and Meghan were presented with a toy kangaroo as they arrived at the official Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia, with the duchess saying: "Our first baby gift!"

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The mother and father-to-be were at Admiralty House, where they are staying for the first few days of their 16-day Commonwealth trip which will take in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.

The couple were formally welcomed by Australia's Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lynn, Lady Cosgrove, on the lawns of the historic building.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex walk in the grounds of Admiralty House in Sydney on the first day of the royal couple's visit to Australia
PA

The couple were given presents of a kangaroo and her joey, and a tiny pair of Ugg boots, which Harry described as “awesome”.

The Duke and Duchess joined in on an official group photograph before an ‘official call’ with the Governor General and Lady Cosgrove, whom they met when they arrived from London the previous day.

The beaming pair enjoyed a day packed full of engagements including being introduced to their koala namesakes at Taronga Zoo.

 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet a koala named Ruby and its koala joey named Meghan at Taronga Zoo
AFP/Getty Images

Accompanied by the premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian, they spent around five minutes with the koalas, Ruby and Wattle, whose joeys were named Meghan and Harry as a wedding gift from the people of the region.

In a private moment away from the cameras, they couple were also given a stuffed toy version of the animal in celebration of their baby news.

In a research laboratory at the zoo, they were also introduced to Lynx, a short-legged echidna being studied.

Harry and Meghan arrive at the Sydney Opera House
Getty Images

Departing, the couple were treated to a ride in a gondola, giving spectacular views over Sydney harbour and allowing a glimpse of other animal enclosures, including a curious baby elephant, below.

After the Duchess changed into flat shoes, they walked the short journey down a ramp and out of the zoo, catching a ferry - made private for the occasion - to the Sydney Opera House surrounded by armed security.

The Duchess of Sussex arrives at Admiralty House in Sydney on the first day of the royal couple's visit to Australia
PA

It comes after hundreds of well-wishers turned up to watch as they touched down at Sydney Airport on their first royal trip as a married couple.

Harry and Meghan landed just hours before Kensington Palace announced that they are expecting their first baby in the spring.

They landed in Australia on a Qantas flight from London before heading to Admiralty House.

Congratulations poured in for the thrilled couple, with Prime Minister Theresa May offering her "warmest congratulations" and the Archbishop of Canterbury, who married Harry and Meghan, saying: "Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their happy news! Prayers for them in the months ahead."

The baby will be seventh in line to the throne, and the Queen's eighth great-grandchild.

Kensington Palace said there would be no change to the itinerary of Harry and Meghan's tour including to Fiji and Tonga, despite travel advice that pregnant women should consider not travelling to the countries because of the moderate Zika virus risk.

The palace said the couple had sought medical advice and decided to continue with their plans.

In a statement, Kensington Palace said: "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019.

"Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public."

The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are said to be "delighted" for the couple.

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