Royal Tour news: Pregnant Meghan Markle and Prince Harry a picture of romance as they step out hand-in-hand on Australia's Fraser Island

Pregnant Meghan joined up with Prince Harry for a walkabout on picturesque Fraser Island this afternoon.

She looked cool and relaxed after the morning off after palace staff said she was “tired” and they wanted to “pace” the trip for her.

Wearing a Reformation maxi dress and brown leather lace-up sandals, pregnant Meghan was glowing as she arrived by car to meet Prince Harry, having spent the morning at their hotel recuperating from the heavy schedule of the first week of their Commonwealth tour.

A royal aid stressed: "She isn’t sick, she just had a tiring few days and we were concerned about the road on the island which are incredibly bumpy and uncomfortable for anyone, let alone a pregnant woman.

"But the Duchess was very keen to re-join the Duke at the last engagement of the day to greet the people of the island."

Harry arrived at Kingfisher Bay jetty by boat, having just visited the historic McKenzie’s Jetty nearby.

After Meghan had greeted him at the end of the pier, the couple walked down together to meet the waiting crowds, hand in hand.

They were greeted by the premier of Queensland before stopping to watch a Butchulla People dance group on the beach, surrounding by cheering well-wishers.

They stopped to chat to to Eliza Vitch, ten, and Grace Hommerman, eight, who caught their eyes with a sign that read: "Harry and Meghan check us out!"

They told the couple how they had held a royal wedding party to celebrate their marriage back in May.

"Oh my goodness, how sweet of you!" Exclaimed Meghan.

As she left, the duchess remarked, in a thoughtful nod to their sign: "And now I have checked you out!"

The couple arrived on Queensland's Fraser Island today - with him being given a traditional aboriginal welcome in the forest while his pregnant wife had a rest at a luxury resort.

They initally went their separate ways after flying in from Sydney.

Harry took the barge while the Meghan dressed in a maroon, polka-dot dress by And Other Stories, arrived on a whale watching vessel.

Crowds had lined up along the Kingfisher Jetty to catch a glimpse of the couple as they stepped on shore waving to excited onlookers when they arrived.

When Harry arrived in the rain first to open a plaque pensioner Mally Clarke, 72, told him he was “much better looking in person”.

Harry jokes back, 'I'll take that as a compliment.”

The Butchulla elder explained why she said it afterwards: “Because he is! He is such a handsome man! He will stay hearts and minds forever.”

Harry and Meghan had earlier appeared relaxed as they boarded a Royal Australian Air Force jet at Sydney Airport, bound for the wilderness island, after travelling from Admiralty House, their harbour city accommodation.

She stayed behind at the luxurious Kingfisher Bay Resort, which boasts secluded beach houses, timber lodges surrounded by the bush and eco-friendly hotel rooms, while Prince Harry carried out his royal duties.

Palace aides say pregnant Meghan, 37, is not sick but simply tired.

They said the bumpy terrain of the World Heritage island, the largest sand island in the world, simply is not suitable for an expectant woman.

Fraser Island, or K'gari as it is known by the Traditional Owners the Butchulla people, has a total of 206,970 acres of protected forest.

Harry was met by the Butchulla People and the premier of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk, before taking part in the traditional Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony.

He took off his shoes and walked in the shallows of the lake after the welcome to country, where he had his feet brushed with leaves during the indigenous ceremony.

He also unveiled a plaque for the dedication of the Forests of K'gari to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy, which raises awareness of indigenous forests, and allows countries in the Commonwealth to exchange knowledge and ideas about the best practice for forest conservation.

“This is actually the second time this plaque has been unveiled - which I know is highly unusual. The first time was by my father – The Prince of Wales – in Bundaberg earlier this year when he was visiting. I now have the privilege of unveiling it in situ,” said in a speech.

“I know that my father came to K'gari in 1994 for a ‘day off’ during a Royal Tour so he has an appreciation of the importance of this place. Luckily we are both highly skilled when it comes to unveiling plaques.”

Fraser Island rainforest is home to the Island's satinay trees which, known for their hardiness in water, were used to build the London docks in the 1930s. Some trees are more than 1,000 years old.

Harry also watched Aboriginal dancers and gave an address.

Later, the Duke headed to Kingfisher Bay and walk along the jetty with Meghan.