Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in Australia for a four-day visit that blends charitable engagements with privately organised commercial appearances, marking their first trip to the country since 2018.
The couple, who stepped down as working royals in 2020, landed at Melbourne airport early Tuesday on a commercial flight from Los Angeles. Their itinerary spans Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, where they are expected to meet patients, healthcare workers, military veterans and survivors of family violence, while also participating in paid speaking and wellness events.
During their first stop at the Royal Children’s Hospital, the Duke and Duchess interacted with patients and their families, taking part in activities and greeting attendees. Hundreds gathered at the hospital foyer to catch a glimpse of the couple. One parent, Emily Burke, said, “We just found out they were coming so we hung around,” adding that “Meghan came and had a little chat with Phoebe… she was commenting on her Bluey slippers”.
The visit includes a mix of charitable outreach and commercial engagements. Prince Harry is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit in Melbourne, where tickets cost up to A$2,400. Meghan is also expected to host an “in-person conversation” at a women-only wellness retreat in Sydney, with attendance packages priced as high as A$3,199. It remains unclear how much the couple will earn from these appearances.
At a women’s refuge in Melbourne, Meghan served meals and interacted with residents, later noting, “we landed here this morning so my jet lag hasn’t quite hit yet”. Meanwhile, Harry participated in a garden therapy session at the hospital, joking when offered a gumtree plant: “I would, but I think I’d probably get arrested at some point.”
Unlike their 2018 royal tour, which drew large public crowds, the current visit does not include scheduled public meet and greet events. The couple are travelling in a private capacity and have stated that the trip is privately funded. However, questions have been raised about whether Australian taxpayers will bear any costs related to security and policing.
Authorities in Victoria and New South Wales confirmed that security arrangements are in place. A spokesperson for New South Wales Police said, “The New South Wales Police Force will conduct an operation to ensure public safety is maintained during the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” adding that measures would aim to minimise disruption to the community.
Beyond official engagements, there are indications that Australia could serve as a potential market for Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, which has recently expanded its trademark registrations in the country.
The visit comes amid renewed public attention on Prince Harry, following reports of an ongoing legal dispute involving Sentebale, the charity he co-founded.
Ademide Adebayo
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