Royal Tour: Tonga welcomes Duke and Duchess of Sussex

There were scenes of jubilation at Tu-pou College in Tonga on Friday as hundreds of students welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The royal couple's visit comes at a time the UK is expanding its influence in the Pacific post leaving the European Union. 

Pupils of the Pacific's oldest secondary school waited in the sun for hours.

And the arrival didn't disappoint - the Duke and Duchess wearing college blue for their visit to Tupou College. 

Central to Meghan and Harry's visit was to promote conservation - two of Tonga's rainforests, one of which is on the school grounds, are now recognised as protected under the Queen Commonwealth Canopy. 

"Tonga is now leading by example and understands deeply the impact environmental changes because they affect the islands," Prince Harry told the students. 

This royal visit also comes as Britain prepares to reopen a high commission in Tonga, after it closed down in 2006.

Queen Elizabeth has had a close relationship with the Tongan royal family and Prince Harry told a gathering last night that the Queen hopes this relationship continues with the next generation.

Britain's re-engagement with Tonga is welcome by the country's Prime Minister Akilisi Pohiva. 

"Their presence here in Tonga and the role the British High Commissioner is going to play in our overall development of this country is very significant," he says.

There was a special and unexpected interaction today, a request for free hugs was granted much to the delight of three-year-old Sitauti and her mother. 

"We've been stalking them ever since we found out they were coming to Tonga. It was actually a dream come true to get to meet them and get 'free hugs'," resident Heta Pohiva told Newshub. 

This was a fleeting 22-hour trip to the Kingdom for the Duke and Duchess - but one which no one here will forget. 

They have now left for Australia and the New Zealand tour is just around the corner - with the royal couple touching down in Wellington on Sunday.

Newshub.