The Sussexes’ last trip to Australia in 2018 was marked by their recent marriage and strong popularity within the royal family. However, the circumstances have changed significantly since then.
This week, Harry and Meghan will embark on a series of visits to various charitable organizations, although their trip will not be an official royal engagement. They will still be recognized by their titles, Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Their schedule kicks off today at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, followed by the duchess’s visit to a shelter for women experiencing homelessness and family violence. Later in the day, they will participate in an event with families of war veterans.
Tomorrow, Harry will speak at a Movember event at Whitten Oval in Melbourne, joining players from the Western Bulldogs AFL team, before heading to Canberra for activities at the Australian War Memorial. There, he will meet Indigenous veterans and attend a Last Post Ceremony.
On Thursday, they will return to Melbourne to engage in events focused on Indigenous issues and mental health, and on Friday, they will travel to Sydney to support Invictus Australia, the veterans’ charity founded by Harry.
Notably, this visit differs from traditional royal tours due to its commercial elements. A media release prior to their arrival highlighted that their itinerary would prioritize mental health, community resilience, and support for veterans and their families, alongside private meetings and specific projects.
These private engagements include two significant ticketed events: Harry will speak at a conference in Melbourne on Thursday, while Meghan will be the main attraction at a high-end wellness event at Coogee Beach in Sydney the following weekend. The media statement emphasizes that these private events aim to support broader commercial, charitable, and community goals, distinguishing them from the public engagements.
So, is this a publicity tour? The media release addressed this concern by stating that the program is grounded in the Duke and Duchess’s longstanding commitments, focusing on supporting impactful organizations. The visit intends to prioritize listening, learning, and community support over self-promotion.
Royal expert Giselle Bastin from Flinders University characterized the commercial aspects of the tour as unusual, noting that the royal family might be displeased with the Sussexes’ approach to monetizing their visit to Australia. She expressed skepticism about the current reception of Harry and Meghan, especially among Australians who were once ardent supporters.
Bastin remarked that the enthusiasm surrounding their 2018 trip is likely to be much more subdued this time. While there will still be fans excited to see the couple, many may now harbor skepticism about their intentions, given their departure from royal duties and their relocation to California. The couple has spent considerable time in the media expressing criticism towards the royal institution and British tabloid culture.
Public opinion seems to reflect this shift, with favorability ratings showing only 31% of individuals viewing Harry positively and 19% for Meghan, placing them just above Prince Andrew in terms of public perception.
Bastin also pointed out that the tour is receiving negative attention in the UK, particularly in the tabloids, which have noted that the Sussexes seem out of touch with the current atmosphere, especially as King Charles III is scheduled to visit the USA for the 250th anniversary of American Independence.
Harry has previously voiced concerns about the British tabloids, describing their impact on his mental health and his wife’s well-being in court proceedings this year.
