SYDNEY, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle -- the newly named Duke and Duchess of Sussex -- charmed crowds outside the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday.

On a 16-day tour, revolving around the Invictus Games which is an initiative of the prince, the royals enjoyed the first sunny day in a patch of rare overcast weather for the harbor city.

The couple travelled to the city's Taronga Zoo where they opened the new Institute of Science and Learning before getting up close and personal to native animals including koalas.

A ferry ride later and the royals were outside the Opera House to meet the hundreds of adoring fans who had turned out to wish them well, shaking hands and even kissing some of those who lined the foreshore.

Security was noticeably tight for the occasion with snipers perched atop the landmark's iconic white sails.

The royal procession will travel to a number of the state's regional areas this week, starting with the historic city of Dubbo on Wednesday.