Royal Australia Visit Blends Charity and Commerce, Contrary to Late Queen's Stance
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's current tour of Australia has been described by sources close to the late Queen Elizabeth II as "exactly what she tried to ensure wouldn't happen." The trip, now in its third day, has seen the couple engage in traditional royal-style charity visits while simultaneously pursuing commercial opportunities that reportedly contradict the former monarch's vision for working royals.
Commercial Ventures Amid Royal-Style Engagements
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have visited hospitals and mental health organizations during their Australian tour, mirroring aspects of official royal visits. However, these engagements have been accompanied by significant commercial activities that have drawn attention to their post-royal business model.
Meghan Markle has invested in and joined the online AI-powered fashion platform OneOff, where fans can purchase selected items worn by celebrities. The platform already features two outfits she has worn during the Australia trip. Additionally, the Duchess is scheduled to appear at a girls-only weekend retreat in Sydney, where tickets start from £1,400.
A source close to the late Queen told the Daily Mail: "While I am not going to speculate on what Her Late Majesty would have thought about all this, I can tell you with utmost certainty that this is exactly what she tried to ensure wouldn't happen."
Historical Context: The 'Half In, Half Out' Debate
This current approach echoes discussions from over six years ago when Harry and Meghan first contemplated life away from the Royal Family. At that time, they reportedly wanted to maintain some royal duties while exploring money-making opportunities - a "half in, half out" arrangement that the late Queen reportedly rejected during the famous Sandringham Summit.
Another source commented on the Palace's likely perspective: "It's clearly irritating, but the feeling is that the institution just needs to roll with the punches in order to keep moving forwards."
Emotional Revelations During Australian Engagements
During the third day of their visit, Prince Harry delivered an emotional keynote speech at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne, focusing on leadership, psychosocial safety, and human connection in the workplace. Watched by Meghan, Harry opened up about his grief following Princess Diana's death and his initial rejection of royal responsibilities.
"After my mum died just before my 13th birthday - I was like: 'I don't want this job. I don't want this role - wherever this is headed, I don't like it,'" Harry revealed during a discussion with Australian business leader Brendan Nelson. "It killed my mum and I was very much against it, and I stuck my head in the sand for years and years."
The Duke explained how his perspective eventually changed: "Eventually I realised - well, hang on, if there was somebody else in this position, how would they be making the most of this platform and this ability and the resources that come with it to make a difference in the world? And also, what would my mum want me to do? And that really changed my own perspective."
Meghan's Personal Experience with Online Abuse
Earlier that same day, Meghan spoke with young people associated with Australian mental health organization Batyr at Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology. The Duchess shared her personal experience with online harassment, describing herself as "the most trolled person in the entire world."
Meghan stated: "For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked. And I was the most trolled person in the entire world. Now, I'm still here."
She criticized social media companies, suggesting they are "not incentivized to stop" online cruelty, which she described as a "billion-dollar industry" that is "completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks."
The couple's Australian visit continues to generate significant attention as they navigate their unique position between royal tradition and independent commercial enterprise, with sources suggesting their current approach represents precisely what the late Queen Elizabeth II worked to prevent during her reign.
