A startled Duchess of Sussex tried her hand at mini Formula 1 racing on Thursday (October 18) as part of her first overseas engagement as a member of the British royal family.

Their official duties on their tour of Melbourne, Australia's second biggest city included a visit to a local chapter of 'This Girl Can' - that's a campaign to encourage more of the country's women into sport.

And riding one of the city's trams to the beach where they helped local children clean up Melbourne's shoreline.

It's the Duchess of Sussex's first time in Australia, and the royal duo will also be travelling to New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga as part of their Pacific tour.

The Duke and Duchess are causing a royal frenzy down under, where devoted royalists have come out to greet the couple - in the thousands.

They've met with city folk as well as local farmers during stops in rural Australia.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) THE DUKE OF SUSSEX, BRITAIN'S PRINCE HARRY, SAYING: "You are the salt of the earth.

Honest, hardworking and as tough as they come, and that resilience, sense of humor and commitment to the land are the qualities that make you unique.

You are the backbone of this country." The parents-to-be acted like naturals around a long line of school children who came out to greet them on Wednesday (October 17).

The pair recently announced the newest addition to the royal family, is due in the Spring.