Harry and Meghan's Australian Tour Divides Public Opinion
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently undertaking a four-day visit to Australia, with stops in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney. This trip has sparked significant debate, with many observers noting that it bears all the hallmarks of a traditional royal tour despite the couple no longer being working members of the Royal Family.
Charitable and Commercial Engagements
According to the Sussexes' office, the visit focuses on mental health initiatives, community resilience programs, and support for veterans and their families. The itinerary includes both public-facing charitable engagements and private commercial meetings, reflecting the couple's post-royal career path.
During their time in Melbourne, Harry and Meghan visited the Royal Children's Hospital, where they were greeted by hundreds of well-wishers. This location holds historical royal significance, as both King Charles (then Prince of Wales) and Princess Diana visited in 1985, and Queen Elizabeth II opened the hospital's new site in 2011 during her Australian tour.
The 'Faux Royal Tour' Controversy
Some critics have branded the visit a "faux royal tour," questioning why the couple are conducting what appears to be official royal business without representing the monarchy. Royal expert Jennie Bond has challenged this characterization, telling the Mirror that Harry and Meghan have never called it a royal tour and are not conducting walkabouts or high-level political meetings.
"They are there to promote themselves – evidently – but also to do some charitable work along the way," Bond explained. "This kind of visit is precisely what Harry and Meghan wanted to do at the start of the whole sorry story that led them stepping down as working Royals. They wanted to combine earning a living with some charitable work. So, here they are doing exactly that. What's the problem?"
Australian Public Reaction
The visit has received mixed reactions from Australians. Some Sydney residents told the BBC they found the couple "boring" and questioned their purpose for visiting. One resident commented, "I don't know why they're coming," while another added, "They are very much about self promotion, they'd probably be my least favourite royals, put it that way."
Conversely, sources close to the Sussexes insist the trip is "rooted in long-standing areas of work for the Duke and Duchess, with a clear focus on amplifying organisations delivering measurable impact." They emphasized that the visit prioritizes "listening, learning and supporting communities rather than promotion."
Security and Funding Concerns
A petition on Change.org demanding "no taxpayer funding or official support for Harry and Meghan's private visit to Australia" has attracted more than 45,000 signatures. The petition argues that "public funds should not be used for private visits."
Police forces in both New South Wales and Victoria have confirmed they will provide security during the visit. The New South Wales Police Force stated it would "conduct an operation to ensure public safety is maintained during the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex," while Victoria Police confirmed they are aware of the visit and will "deploy resources as necessary to ensure community safety."
The debate continues as Harry and Meghan proceed with their Australian engagements, highlighting the ongoing tension between their post-royal activities and public perceptions of appropriate conduct for former working royals.
