Harry and Meghans non-royal tour of Australia
3 minute readPublished: Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 11:45 am
Harry and Meghan's Australian Tour: A Shift in Reception and Focus
Melbourne, Australia - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, are currently undertaking a four-day tour of Australia, marking a significant departure from their 2018 visit as working royals. This time, the couple is visiting as private citizens, a shift that has garnered attention and raised questions about the nature of their engagements.
The tour includes events centered around sport, mental health, and veterans affairs. Prince Harry is scheduled to meet with military veterans in Canberra, while the couple will jointly participate in a mental health summit in Melbourne and attend sailing and rugby events in Sydney.
However, unlike their previous visit, this tour incorporates commercial activities. Meghan is hosting a wellness retreat at a luxury hotel in Sydney, offering experiences such as yoga and sound healing, with ticket prices ranging from A$2,699 to A$3,199. Prince Harry is slated to be a speaker at a psychosocial safety summit, with ticket prices reaching A$2,378.
The commercial aspect of the tour has drawn criticism, with royal experts suggesting that the royal family may not approve of the Sussexes monetizing their visit. Public sentiment appears to be mixed. Recent polls indicate that while 40% of Australians view Prince Harry favorably, 46% hold an unfavorable view. Meghan's favorability ratings are even lower, with 55% holding a negative view.
The visit's financial implications have also been scrutinized. While the couple's travel expenses are privately funded, local media reports suggest that some policing costs will be borne by Australian taxpayers. Some commentators have questioned the motivations behind the tour, citing the couple's recent financial setbacks, including the implosion of their Spotify deal and the failure of some Netflix projects.
The tour's reception is seen as a test for future endeavors, including a potential visit to Africa. The situation also presents a challenge for the wider royal family, as the Sussexes navigate a path outside the traditional framework of royal duties.
BNN's Perspective: The Sussexes' Australian tour highlights the evolving landscape of royal life in the modern era. While the couple's efforts to engage in charitable work are commendable, the commercialization of their visit raises legitimate questions about the balance between public service and personal gain. It will be interesting to see how the public responds to this new approach and what implications it may have for the future of the monarchy.
Keywords: Prince Harry, Meghan, Australia, tour, commercial activities, mental health, veterans affairs, wellness retreat, public opinion, royal family, Sussexes, private citizens, financial, reception.