Harry and Meghan arrive in Australia for four-day tour
Harry and Meghan Begin Four-Day Australia Tour
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, touched down in Australia on Tuesday, landing at Melbourne Airport at 06:30 local time (21:30 BST Monday). Their journey, aboard a Qantas flight from Los Angeles, marks their first visit to the country since 2018. During that earlier trip, the couple had spent nearly nine days engaging with the public, drawing massive crowds wherever they went.
Schedule Highlights
Unlike their previous tour, this four-day visit focuses on both charitable and private activities. The itinerary includes meetings with children’s hospital patients, military veterans, and survivors of domestic abuse. Additionally, the couple will participate in events with commercial elements, such as a keynote address at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit in Melbourne. Tickets for this summit range from A$1,000 to A$2,400, with some proceeds benefiting the Lifeline charity.
Meanwhile, Meghan will host an exclusive “girls’ weekend” in Sydney, part of a women-only event organized by the producers of the Her Best Life podcast. Attendees pay up to A$3,199 for the retreat, which includes a VIP experience with a group photo opportunity. The exact compensation for the duchess remains undisclosed, though the event is still promoting a few extra rooms.
Public Engagement and Funding
The couple, now private citizens, have opted to fund their trip independently. However, questions linger about whether public resources are being used for security during their stay. Victoria and New South Wales police have confirmed their involvement in ensuring safety, though details on taxpayer costs are yet to be shared. A spokesperson for the New South Wales Police Force stated, “We will implement security measures to support the visit while keeping community disruption to a minimum.”
Emily Burke, a mother of a three-year-old named Phoebe, shared her experience of greeting the couple at the Royal Children’s Hospital. “We learned about their arrival last minute and stayed to see them,” she said. “Meghan spoke to Phoebe, commenting on her Bluey slippers, which made the moment special.” The pair also interacted with hospital staff and patients, creating a warm, personal atmosphere.
Commercial Ventures
As private citizens, Harry and Meghan have the freedom to pursue personal profit from their trip. Their visit coincides with the promotion of Meghan’s As Ever lifestyle brand, which has been featured in a Netflix series produced by their company. The brand recently registered trademarks in 12 categories in Australia, signaling potential market interest. While the couple’s commercial activities are not the main focus, they remain part of the overall itinerary.
The tour concludes with a rugby match in Sydney on Friday, followed by a final event on Saturday. The visit’s blend of public and private engagements reflects their current status, balancing advocacy with personal opportunities in the Australian context.