Harry and Meghan arrive in Australia for four-day tour
Harry and Meghan Begin Four-Day Australia Tour
Prince Harry and Meghan arrived in Australia for a four-day tour, blending charity-focused activities with private events that generate revenue. Unlike their earlier royal duties, this trip is conducted in a personal capacity, with the couple emphasizing that it is privately funded. Their itinerary includes meetings with patients at a children’s hospital, military veterans, and survivors of domestic violence, alongside commercial engagements.
Commercial Events Highlight the Trip
Among the planned activities, Prince Harry will deliver a keynote speech at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit in Melbourne, where tickets range from A$1,000 to A$2,400 per attendee. Some proceeds from the summit support Lifeline, a mental health charity. Meghan will host a “girls’ weekend” in Sydney, a women-only event tied to her podcast, Her Best Life, with a VIP package offering photo opportunities with her.
While the public is not invited to attend the events, the tour spans Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney, featuring a mix of charitable and profit-driven activities. The duchess’s participation in the Sydney event remains financially unspecified, though the organizers have not sold out and are still promoting additional accommodations.
Shift from Royal Roles to Private Ventures
Since stepping down as working royals in January 2020, Harry and Meghan have opted for a more discreet approach, avoiding large crowds and public meet-and-greets to reduce community disruption. This strategy aligns with their focus on personal branding and private funding, though questions persist about whether taxpayers are covering costs for security during their stay.
Victoria and New South Wales police have confirmed their presence to ensure safety, though details on taxpayer involvement remain unclear. “The New South Wales Police Force will conduct an operation to ensure public safety is maintained during the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” said a spokesperson. “The operation will require some additional security measures throughout their stay in New South Wales, while minimising any disruption to the community.”
Broader Implications for the Couple’s Brand
There are indications that Australia may serve as a testing ground for Meghan’s As Ever lifestyle brand, which has been prominently featured in a Netflix series produced by her and Harry’s company. The brand has already registered trademarks in 12 product categories in Australia, according to government records. This marks the couple’s first visit to the country since 2018, when they spent nearly a week there shortly after their marriage.
“Police routinely assess events and visits and will deploy resources as necessary to ensure community safety.”
Harry’s trip also follows his recent legal battle in the UK, where he lost a court appeal over reduced security measures. This visit represents his first public appearance since the lawsuit was announced last week by Sentebale, the African charity he co-founded.
