Meghan Markle was all smiles as she participated in a hongi during her first solo royal engagement.
The Duchess of Sussex partook in the traditional Māori greeting with several New Zealanders, including NZ’s UK high commissioner, Sir Jerry Mateparae and his wife, at the opening of the Oceania exhibit at London's Royal Academy of Arts on Tuesday evening (local time).
Meghan learned about some of the 200 artifacts on display during a private tour, serving as preparation for her upcoming tour of the South Pacific with husband Prince Harry.
She called it a "great introduction to the sights and sounds of that part of the world", reports the Daily Mail.
During her visit, the former Suits star met with the creators of Kiko Moana, a large textile piece created by a collective of Māori artists.
The Daily Mail reports the Duchess told Kiwi video artist Lisa Reihani she thought the work on show was "spectacular".
She was also treated to a waita performance from the Ngāti Rānana London Maori Club.
The royal couple will visit Australia, Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga and New Zealand later this year.
Newshub.
