Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent four-day visit to Australia has been dubbed a ‘Claytons’ tour – a substitute for a real royal visit. The phrase, originating from a non-alcoholic beverage marketed as “the drink you have when you’re not having a drink”, captures the essence of a trip that mixed charity work with commercial ventures.
The couple’s itinerary included a luxury wellness retreat, an appearance on MasterChef Australia, and discussions on mental health and Australia’s social media ban for children. However, unlike a traditional royal tour, there were few open-to-the-public events, with large gatherings avoided reportedly to curb policing costs. Tickets for the ‘Her Best Life’ retreat, headlined by Meghan, cost up to A$3,199 for a VIP experience, including a group photo with the Duchess.
Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne from the University of Melbourne said the visit was primarily about boosting the Sussexes’ personal brand. “They are no longer ‘working royals’, so they are visiting Australia in service of their brand as individuals and as a couple,” she explained. The trip also saw Meghan promoting her lifestyle brand As Ever.
The contrast with their 2018 visit was stark. Then, newly married and expecting their first child, the couple were greeted by rapturous crowds and met the prime minister. Harry later said the tour “caused waves in Buckingham Palace” due to Meghan’s public appeal. Royal researcher Giselle Bastin noted that “the celebrity shine has rather worn off” amid ongoing family tensions.
Questions remain about the cost to Australian taxpayers for additional policing, which has not been disclosed. Meanwhile, reports suggest the couple are struggling to fund their lifestyle despite Harry inheriting millions from his mother and the Queen Mother. The tour, according to Professor Rosewarne, was ultimately a measure of whether “it helped their brand.”
