The Duchess of Sussex has been rushed out of a busy market in Fiji amid fears over “crowd management issues”.
The 37-year-old royal – who recently announced she’s expecting her first child with the Duke of Sussex – made a visit to the venue on Wednesday in order to learn more about a UN Women project called Markets for Change.
But after around six minutes, her security team decided to rush the Duchess out of the crowded area.
Read more: Duchess of Sussex reveals clear look at baby bump during Fiji state dinner
Initially, Kensington Palace claimed that the decision was taken because of “uncomfortable conditions” – but later, it was conceded that “crowd management issues” was the reason behind the abrupt exit.
Despite this, the Duchess – who was known as Meghan Markle prior to her marriage in May – still managed to meet the four women she’d originally intended to.
According to the Telegraph, she’d been scheduled to spend around 15 minutes at the marketplace, which was a solo engagement without her husband Prince Harry, 34.
A palace aide told the newspaper: “It was hot, humid and uncomfortably busy and there were far larger crowds than expected. She met everyone she was meant to meet and left.”
Meanwhile, an insider told Evening Standard that there was no specific security threat to Meghan, but her security team had been concerned there were no barriers between her and the large crowds, although they “appeared calm and orderly”.
Meghan and Harry arrived in Fiji on Tuesday after flying in from Sydney.
Harry kicked off Wednesday’s engagements solo, laying a wreath at the Fiji War Memorial before meeting up with Meghan to visit the University of the South Pacific campus in Suva.
Meghan wore a printed ruffle dress by Figue that retails for $1,425 but is currently sold out.
In her first speech on the royals’ ongoing tour, the Duchess stressed the value of education and also spoke of her own struggle to afford to attend university.
The former Suits actress – who attended Northwestern University in the US – said the “journey of higher education is an incredible, impactful and pivotal one”.
Read more: Why Meghan and Harry’s baby won’t be a prince or princess
She continued: “I am also fully aware of the challenges of being able to afford this level of schooling for many people around the world – myself included.
“It was through scholarships, financial aid programmes and work-study – where my earnings from a job on campus went directly towards my tuition – that I was able to attend university. And, without question, it was worth every effort.
“Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to receive the education they want, but more importantly the education they have the right to receive. And for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital.”
After the university visit – which was streamed to other campuses in the Pacific – the royal couple split, with Meghan visiting the market and having tea at the British High Commissioner’s House while Harry visited the Colo-i-Suva forest, which is part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.
They will carry out further engagements in Fiji on Thursday before travelling to Tonga, back to Australia and on to New Zealand to draw their 16-day tour to a close.
Have you been enjoying updates on Meghan and Harry’s overseas tour? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!