Prince Harry and the Duchess delighted fans in Germany as they strolled in the hot sun before embarking on a Rhine River cruise.
Harry and Meghan shook hands and spoke to an eager crowd outside Düsseldorf City Hall as they marked the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games.
Screams of “Harry, Harry” could be heard as Meghan posed for selfies with members of the public lining up in the sun to catch a glimpse of the couple during their brief visit to Dusseldorf.
Harry and Meghan wow crowds in Germany before embarking on a river cruise.
The Duchess wore a cream knit vest with a shawl collar by Los Angeles-based designer Annin Bing and beige wide-leg trousers with a belt.
The couple’s outing on Tuesday followed their first public appearance in the UK since returning for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee earlier this year.
The MS Rhein Galaxie, which Harry and Meghan were due to be on board, set sail on the River Rhine shortly before 3.30pm on Tuesday afternoon.
A small German police boat was traveling just ahead of the vessel.
On the top deck of the big ship, which was flying the official flags of the games, there were several people who were Invictus members, their families and friends.
The couple are understood to have taken a short sightseeing tour on the boat before heading to the Merkur Spiel-Arena for a press conference where Harry will deliver a speech.
Speaking at a town hall reception, Harry, dressed in a suit and white shirt, said he was “overwhelmed with such excitement” at the thought that the next Invictus Games would be held against the backdrop of the River Rhine.
He said: “I can’t wait to hear the roar of the crowd, to feel the adrenaline of the competition and to join in the laughter and even tears, happy of course, while we can witness lives changing right before our eyes.”
He said he would encourage people to “really lean in” to the games.
He added: “In our most vulnerable moments, encouragement is essential.
“So I ask that we all do our part to empower these incredible servicemen and women to be honest, courageous and true to themselves.”
Showing his trademark sense of humor, the duke began his speech with a few words in German and wiped his forehead to applause, smiling with relief as he added: “That’s the end of it.”
He also jokingly asked people at a small reception whether the beer in Dusseldorf is better than in Cologne, to applause and nods from those present.
Marking the official One Year To Go event, he said: “It is a great honor for me, together with my wife, to invite the people of Germany to officially start the countdown to next September.”
He urged everyone to “lead with your heart and, above all, enjoy the ride ahead.”
Harry and Meghan walked the red carpet at the town hall reception, walking hand in hand to cheering crowds.
Inside, the couple signed a special guest book known as the Golden Book, which is also believed to have been signed by the Queen during a visit to Düsseldorf in the 1960s, according to a city official.
During his welcome speech, the city’s mayor, Stefan Keller, recalled previous visits by the Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh to Dusseldorf and said they signified the strong relationship between Dusseldorf and Great Britain since the end of the Second World War.
Harry described those who wore the uniform to serve their countries “fighting for their lives, our lives, our freedoms and our democracies” as “my role models” when he addressed the press at the arena later in the afternoon.
He described Dusseldorf as a “beautiful city” with a “lively atmosphere and filled with amazing people”.
