The Duchess of Sussex has been rushed out of a busy market in Fiji after concerns over "crowd management issues".

Meghan was carrying out her only solo engagements of this royal tour in the capital, Suva, when she made a short visit to the venue to find out about a UN Women project, Markets for Change.

The duchess could be seen walking through the stalls, surrounded by an entourage of royal staff and police protection officers.

But after only eight minutes, her team decided to hurry her out of the covered market.

Image: Security personnel whisked the duchess through the crowds

Image: The duchess was visiting Suva market which supports the UN Markets for Change project

Image: Kensington Palace said Meghan's visit was cut short due to crowd management issues

Kensington Palace initially said this was due to "uncomfortable conditions" but later added that the visit was cut short "due to crowd management issues".


The palace does not comment on security matters, but they did say the duchess met all four women at the market that she was meant to meet.

Meghan's bump on display in Fiji

The market was busy with people, and apparently the crowds were greater than expected but they were very well-mannered.

A number of people who had waited to see the Duchess of Sussex for a couple of hours said they were very disappointed she didn't stop for longer.

Image: The royals were given garlands to wear

At the start of the 16-day tour it was announced that she is pregnant, with the baby due in spring next year.

She has also cut back on some of her events since the tour started, after Prince Harry apparently said she should pace herself.

But this was a day where the focus was meant to be on the causes she wants to champion as a member of the Royal Family.

How Harry and Meghan are breaking royal protocol

Prince Harry and Meghan, dressed in brightly coloured tropical clothes, arrived at the University of the South Pacific earlier to talk about issues around climate change and the education of women and girls.

In her first speech of this tour, the duchess spoke personally about why it is an issue that matters to her - saying how the "journey of higher education is an incredible, impactful and pivotal one".

She added: "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."

Image: Meghan spoke passionately about education during her first speech of the tour

The duchess went on to announce two new grants for the university from the Association of Commonwealth Universities to run workshops that empower women.

Meghan also teamed up again with UN Women to promote the work being done in Fiji to help women earn a living.

She has previously worked with the UN as an advocate for women's political participation.

At a morning tea at the British High Commissioner's residence she met people from Rise Beyond The Reef, an organisation that works with women from rural communities to produce handicrafts that they can sell in markets.

Eyewitness account of security scare

By Rhiannon Mills, royal correspondent

It's one of those royal engagements you can't help but mull over.

In fact it's had all the royal press pack talking about what went on when the Duchess of Sussex visited a market in Fiji's capital, Suva.

You can see the pictures for yourself. Meghan surrounded by a sizeable entourage of palace staff and police officers, being herded out of a covered market.

For those of us who were there it felt odd.

Image: Meghan kept smiling throughout the visit to the market

She should have been there for 15 minutes, not very long I know, but after just eight minutes you can see her female bodyguard scanning the crowd and then touching Meghan's arm to say it was time to leave.

So what went on? It's not entirely clear from the pictures if it was Meghan who'd had enough, or if her security team deemed it unsafe.

Videos show Meghan having a brief chat with her deputy private secretary before her visit is cut short.

The palace at first said she left early because it was uncomfortably busy, but then said it was because of "crowd management issues".

Image: It was crowded and hot in the market, says Sky's correspondent

One thing to say is the Fijian people could not be friendlier.

A woman came up to me after Meghan had left, and without me saying a word, told me she was disappointed, the visit was over too fast and "the bodyguards were too much".

I've been at other engagements with other members of the Royal Family that have felt more edgy, but I'm not a police officer and I don't know what was going on behind the scenes.

The market was apparently busier than Kensington Palace has expected.

Image: Meghan is still learning how to navigate her new royal life

I've also been in markets with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall where they've been surrounded by people, and media, and yet they still stop and take time to chat to the crowds and stallholders.

One important factor for this tour is that Meghan is pregnant, something that is inevitably on her mind, and a significant issue for those who protect her.

It was hot and humid and the crowds at the market were large, but for those of us who were there they didn't seem to be aggressive or intimidating in any way.

With marrying into the monarchy comes a bigger profile and opportunities, but this was a reminder that there are also challenges and constraints.

It is still early days for Meghan as she learns how to navigate her way around this new royal life.