The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are embarking on their first royal tour as a married couple.

The royal couple will visit Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand between October 16 and 31.

Starting on Tuesday, Harry and Meghan will take part in 76 engagements over their 16-day trip to the Pacific region.

The tour coincides with the Invictus Games in Sydney, which run from October 20-28. The sporting event – founded by Prince Harry in 2014 – gives sick and injured service personnel and veterans the opportunity to compete in sports such as wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball.

After landing in Sydney, the duke and duchess will travel to Dubbo and Melbourne, before spending three days in Sydney from October 19-21 to mark the launch of the games. They will return for the closing ceremony.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex first official visit to Sussex
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (PA)

However, sport is not the sole focus of the trip. While in Australia, Harry and Meghan will also visit organisations including schools and a rural Flying Doctor service, greet members of the public at the Sydney Opera House, and meet young leaders and community members at Government House.

After Australia, the couple will fly to Fiji, where they will be greeted with an arrival ceremony similar to one attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in 1953.

In Fiji, Prince Harry will pay tribute to Fijian war veterans and the couple will attend a state dinner, before flying to Tonga.

Royal visit to Australia and NZ – Day 14
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George during their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014 (PA)

The tour will conclude with a four-day trip to New Zealand, where they will be greeted by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

The duke and duchess will learn about environmental challenges while in Wellington, visit a charity which supports children with parents in prison, and meet members of the public in Auckland and Rotura.

Harry and Meghan will return to London from Auckland on November 1.

Kensington Palace said in a statement: “There is a long history of friendship between the Royal Family and Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, and their links with the UK are extensive.

“The duke and duchess are very much looking forward to experiencing the unique cultures and customs of those four Commonwealth countries and have asked that this tour allow them opportunities to meet as many Australians, Fijians, Tongans, and New Zealanders as possible.”