The Sussexes Touch Down in Sydney!

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Sydney bright and early this morning at 7am on a commercial Qantas flight. Meghan arrived carrying briefing folders ahead of a preparatory day.

An arrival video.

We saw the couple at Princess Eugenie's Windsor wedding on Friday. It's been reported they skipped the evening bash and rushed back to Kensington Palace to finish packing before their lengthy twenty-two hour flight down under. Media on the ground described the weather as "soggy". Hopefully the weather conditions will pick up in the days ahead. The Today Show also revealed in addition to the plethora of announced engagements, there are embargoed events, which will be revealed in due course.

Scenes at the airport including a strong police presence.

The Duke and Duchess travelled with a staff of ten including private secretary Samantha Cohen; the Queen's former assistant private secretary is Australian and the ideal aide to guide the Sussexes. They will also be joined by deputy private secretary Amy Pickerell, who has been by Meghan's side since the engagement announcement; three communications officers, a programme coordinator, orderly, personal assistant, digital officer and hairdresser. Meghan's close friend and stylist Jessica Mulroney and her family will be in Sydney for the next week to support the Invictus Games. It is understood she and her husband Ben will cover their own costs. I imagine she will be on hand for the first portion of the tour, over the course of the trip we expect to see 30 to 35 outfit changes for the Duchess.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports:

'It was initially thought the couple had arrived on a British Airways flight about 6am, but they flew in on a Qantas plane about 7am. While Qantas declined to comment, sources said Harry and Meghan were in good spirits during the journey, and were "excited about coming to Australia". It's understood the couple travelled in one of the 14 first-class suites on board the Qantas A383.

After landing at Sydney Airport, a casually dressed Harry and Meghan walked out a back entrance at the airport to their waiting motorcade about 7.40am, holding hands and looking happy and fresh despite their long flight. NSW Police cleared roads during peak hour as the royal couple was whisked to Admiralty House in Kirribilli in a white Holden sedan. Large crowds gathered outside the Governor-General's home in the hopes of glimpsing the young royals. Their motorcade arrived just after 8am.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was "so exciting" to welcome Harry and Meghan to Australia. "I have to say it's really, really a full packed visit, they will be doing so much here," Ms Berejiklian told Nine News. "There are also a few surprises which I think everybody will love. But it's really a visit with the people." 

Admiralty House will be the couple's base in Sydney. Admiralty House is the official Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia. It is located in the suburb of Kirribilli, on the northern foreshore of Sydney Harbour. The large sandstone mansion offers stunning views and will host their first official engagement in the morning.

The arrival coincides with news the Queen has appointed Harry as a Personal-Aide-de-Camp. The symbolic position will be seen a sign of Harry's growing role within the family. More from the Guardian:

"Queen Victoria was the first to institute the appointment of a small group of personal aides-de-camp (ADC) positions, with one of the earliest holders being Prince Louis of Battenberg. William's father the Prince of Wales is also a personal aide-de-camp to the monarch. The Duke of Edinburgh was made personal aide-de-camp by the queen's father, King George VI. Principal ADC is an office held by some high-ranking officers in the armed services and includes carrying duties such as attendance on the Queen at the state opening of Parliament or representing the Queen at memorial services." William was given the role in 2013."

Omid Scobie reports we'll see additional gold aiguillettes to his uniform.

It appears Meghan wore the same black and burgundy coat from the Invictus Sydney photo released earlier this week. At this point, the coat remains something of a mystery. Despite endless searches it's unidentified at this point. Because it features very distinctive colouring and details, it's possibly bespoke or from an upcoming collection.

Meghan teamed the coat with a black turtleneck, quite possibly her Wolford style and black pants/jeans. It appears the Duchess wore her Sarah Flint Jay pumps.

Tomorrow is a packed day, beginning quite early around 9 am. Here's what we can expect for Day 1 of the first leg of the tour:

• The first day of the tour will begin in Sydney at Admiralty House, the official Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove. Representatives from each of the eighteen countries who are participating in the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 will be present.
• The Duke and Duchess will then travel to Taronga Zoo to officially open the new Taronga Institute of Science and Learning. The Duke and Duchess will meet two koalas and their joeys that are part of the Zoo’s breeding programme, and visit the laboratory to meet female conservation scientists who are working on efforts to reduce illegal wildlife trafficking.
• The Duke and Duchess will travel by vessel across Sydney Harbour to the Sydney Opera House. Once inside, Their Royal Highnesses will view a rehearsal of Spirit 2018 by the Bangarra Dance Theatre, an internationally acclaimed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander modern dance company. Upon departure, walking along the Opera House forecourt, the Duke and Duchess will have an opportunity to meet members of the public.
• The first day of the visit will conclude with a reception hosted by the Governor-General at Admiralty House, to be attended by Australians from a broad range of sectors including charity and community, business and industry, arts and culture, sport and entertainment.

See you tomorrow for a packed day. I understand it kicks off at roughly 9 am in Sydney.