The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have set royal watchers abuzz by hinting at a significant upcoming overseas tour to a Commonwealth nation they hold dear.
A Hint from a Personal Letter
The revelation came not through an official announcement, but in a personal letter written to celebrity astrologer Angela Pearl. The couple met Ms Pearl at an event in New York City, and in their correspondence dated October 24, they expressed a desire to revisit a familiar destination.
They wrote: “We want to thank you for joining us. Your energy and insight were such a welcome addition. On a separate note, we hope your family in Ukraine remains safe, and we look forward to staying in touch, especially as we look to visit Australia again.”
Angela Pearl, who is originally from Ukraine, has long resided on Australia's Gold Coast in Queensland. While the trip remains unconfirmed by the Sussexes' office, this personal note has fuelled widespread speculation that a tour Down Under is in the works.
Echoes of a Previous Tour and Royal Parallels
This potential visit would be a poignant return to Australia for the couple, where they undertook their first official royal tour as a married couple in 2018. That memorable visit was also the occasion for the joyous announcement that Meghan was expecting their first child, Archie.
Intriguingly, the rumours of Harry and Meghan's travel plans emerge just as Princess Anne concluded her own official tour of Australia in early November. The Princess Royal, renowned as the hardest-working member of the Royal Family, undertook a four-day visit to the states of Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.
Her trip marked the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, for which she has served as Colonel-in-Chief since 1977.
A Standing Invitation for the Royals
The focus on Australia as a destination for royal tours was further highlighted recently by the nation's Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. Following a meeting with King Charles at Balmoral in late September, Mr Albanese confirmed a "standing invitation" for the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, to visit the country in the near future.
He expressed optimism that the future monarch and his wife would accept the invitation in the "coming period". This context adds a layer of diplomatic interest to the Sussexes' potential, more privately orchestrated, plans to return to a key Commonwealth ally.
