Prince Harry and Meghan ended a four-day visit to Australia last Friday. However, the trip drew widespread criticism, particularly from the British press. Many are questioning whether Harry and Meghan have used the country primarily as a commercial opportunity rather than for any real charitable purposes.
Australian pundits and commentators speaking to The Guardian described the visit as a “faux royal tour”. Unlike their celebrated trip in 2018 as newlyweds, they believe this visit generated more ambivalence than affection. It also raised uncomfortable questions about the couple’s motives.
The contrast with their first visit to Australia eight years ago was hard to ignore. In 2018, the couple had just married and Meghan was pregnant.
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They were greeted by large, enthusiastic crowds. The royal couple met with then Prime Minister Scott Morrison. They were hailed as the exciting future of the British royal family.
Harry himself later said in an interview that the 2018 tour caused a stir at Buckingham Palace because of how naturally Meghan connected with the public. This time, according to several British news channels, there were no such scenes.
Harry-Meghan tour of Australia
Last week’s visit included the Duchess of Sussex leading a three-day wellness retreat in Sydney called ‘Her Best Life’. Tickets were priced at A$2,699 ($1,931) including accommodation. For A$3,199 ($2,288), people could enjoy a VIP experience that included a group photo with Meghan.
Prince Harry has attended events focusing on men’s mental health and new fatherhood. The Duke of Sussex appeared at Western Bulldogs AFL training in Melbourne.
The couple took part in the cooking competition MasterChef Australia. They also served food to homeless women at a community event.
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Despite the busy schedule, the visit was strictly controlled throughout. No questions were allowed at any event. She deliberately avoided large public gatherings, ostensibly to keep policing costs low. However, the exact amount spent by taxpayers on the additional security has not been disclosed, The Guardian noted.
Meghan also used the trip to promote As Ever, her lifestyle brand, which sells products such as jams, spice sets and candles. He is reported to have a financial stake in OneOff, a fashion platform. This raised questions about how much she earned from the visit.
The British press attacked Harry-Meghan
Many major British news publications criticized Harry-Meghan’s visit to Australia. The BBC wrote: “Harry and Meghan’s trip felt like a royal tour – except many Australians weren’t interested.”
“Are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle blurring the line between philanthropy and profit?” asked The Telegraph.
An onlooker said: “Harry and Meghan’s trip to Australia is a pathetic cry for public love.”
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“Harry and Meghan tour Australia – my trauma, my truth, my merch. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s quasi-royal trip is about profit, not philanthropy,” wrote The Times.
“Did Harry and Meghan tour Australia to make money?” asked The Guardian.
Reaction on social networks
However, many social media users believe that the entire criticism is made up by the pro-royal British media. They criticized news publications that allegedly do not show the true picture.
“Most Aussies don’t care too much about the royals these days, but they still prefer Harry. He’s much more down to earth than the rest of the family,” wrote one.
“Stop lying, many Brits don’t care about William and Kate, that’s why there are busloads of people and staff handing out flags and it’s on home soil and the color-giving crowds are there because it’s central London,” another user commented.
Another user wrote: “For God’s sake please stop destroying these people? The UK reporting and attacking Meghan Markle, an American citizen, has wiped out tourist interest, not even kidding. The UK press has driven Prince Harry to the point that many of us are trying to keep his mother’s memory, also destroyed?”
“What a load of absolute rubbish. They have been widely accepted here,” said an Australian user.
