Prince Harry and Meghan Markle landed in Sydney on Tuesday, beginning their first Australian tour in eight years. The couple, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020, are combining visits to charitable causes with paid appearances, sparking debate over the nature of their trip.
Their first engagement was at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, where they were greeted by a hushed crowd of staff and patients. The couple spent time speaking with medical workers and young patients, with Harry telling a journalist he was looking forward to 'everything' about being back in Australia.
The hospital's chief executive, Dr Peter Steer, described the visit as 'genuinely meaningful'. The couple later visited a centre for homeless women, reflecting Meghan's commitment to supporting vulnerable women.
However, the tour has been overshadowed by controversy over its commercial elements. Meghan is headlining a women's retreat with tickets costing up to $3,199, while Harry is speaking at a workplace mental health summit with tickets up to $2,378.65. Critics have accused the couple of monetising their royal status.
Police confirmed that taxpayers will cover additional security costs, contradicting earlier assurances that the visit would be privately funded. An online petition against public funding has attracted over 45,000 signatures.
