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Tonga hit by earthquake days before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle set to visit

In the afternoon the pregnant duchess covered up in a beige trench coat: Getty Images
In the afternoon the pregnant duchess covered up in a beige trench coat: Getty Images

Tonga has been struck by an earthquake, just days before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are due to arrive.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to visit Tonga, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji as part of their first royal tour together.

The couple, who recently announced they are expecting a baby, are planning to visit Tonga in nine days time.

The National Earthquake Information Center, U.S Geological Survey (NEIC) have confirmed an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.9 hit the island of Niuatoputapu, Tonga.

The quake hit at 10.17am local time and there are no reports of damage to the area or injuries, so far.

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

According to the NEIC, the earthquake had a depth of 10km.

On October 9, a Magnitude 5.1 earthquake, 100 miles west of Neiafu, hit Tonga. And days later, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck 272 miles south-west of Nuku‘alofa.

Meghan and Harry were set to visit Tonga on the tenth day of their trip, and are set to meet King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipauʻu at an official reception.

The following day, the newlyweds will visit the St George Building to meet with the Prime Minister and members of the cabinet.

They will then travel to Tupou College, the oldest secondary school in the Pacific. Students will perform traditional music from Tonga.

From Tupou College, they will then have a final meeting with the King before departing for Sydney.

The couple have so far visited Sydney Opera House and a zoo in Sydney, where they were greeted by crowds of fans.