Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in Australia for a low-key, privately funded visit

Melbourne Welcomes Prince Harry and Meghan for Their First Australian Visit Since 2018

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have landed in Melbourne for their first Australian visit since their official royal tour in 2018. The couple arrived in a lower-key manner, traveling business class from Los Angeles on a commercial Qantas Airways flight. This visit comes after their announcement in 2020 to step back as senior royals and become financially independent in California.

While the Sussexes describe this visit as privately funded, there have been concerns raised about the added security costs for police agencies in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney. This explains why the couple won’t be holding large public events like they did during their 2018 tour to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga.

Despite the absence of their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, Meghan and Harry are focused on their engagements in Australia. The Herald Sun newspaper labeled this visit as a “faux royal tour to shore up Brand Sussex,” with criticisms about the couple attending paid ticketed events.

The Sussexes have defended their visit, stating that it prioritizes listening, learning, and supporting communities rather than promotion. While some see their use of titles for private interests as a conflict of interest, others view it as a necessary step for financial independence.

The couple’s first public engagement was at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, a place with historical significance for the royal family. Harry and Meghan interacted with well-wishers and expressed their excitement about being back in Australia.

During their visit, Meghan is set to visit a women’s shelter while Harry will explore a veterans’ art museum. Harry will also pay a visit to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, and the couple will participate in an Invictus Australia sailing event in Sydney Harbor.

The Invictus Games hold a special place for Harry, who founded the event in 2014 for sick and injured military personnel and veterans to compete. The couple’s presence at these events highlights their ongoing commitment to charitable causes and community support.

This visit not only showcases the Sussexes’ dedication to their work but also marks a new chapter in their journey as they navigate life outside the traditional royal roles. Despite the controversies surrounding their decisions, Meghan and Harry remain focused on making a positive impact through their engagements and interactions with the Australian community.