Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan landed in Australia on Tuesday for a four-day visit with engagements covering sport, mental health and veterans’ affairs — but the reception was notably cooler than their ecstatic 2018 trip.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex began their visit at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, where they took part in an activity in the hospital’s therapeutic garden spaces.
“It was a genuinely meaningful visit for our staff and for the young people receiving care,” said Dr Peter Steer, the hospital’s chief executive.
Harry, wearing a navy suit and white shirt, spoke to children and posed for photographs with patients in the foyer of the hospital, calling one of the handmade signs welcoming the couple “beautiful”.
Meghan, who wore a matching A$1,250 ($885) navy dress by Sydney-based designer Karen Gee, later helped serve food at a women’s domestic violence shelter in the city.
A Different Reception From 2018
The Sussexes stepped down as working members of the British royal family and moved to the United States in 2020, citing a desire to be financially independent and to escape what they characterised as media intrusion into their private lives.
They last visited Australia in 2018 while still working royals, announcing Meghan’s first pregnancy hours after arriving in Sydney.
This time, there was little sign of the ecstatic reception that greeted them on that trip. Television networks aired footage showing the couple arriving in Melbourne on a commercial flight from Los Angeles, before being taken from the tarmac in a vehicle convoy.
The couple’s travel is being privately funded, though local media reported some policing costs associated with the visit would be paid by Australian taxpayers — sparking a protest petition signed by more than 45,000 people.
Meghan to Lead Wellness Retreat
In contrast to their previous visit, the Sussexes will also undertake commercial activities while in Australia, with Meghan remaining in the country to host a wellness retreat at a luxury beachside hotel in Sydney over the weekend.
Tickets for the event, which includes yoga, manifestation and sound healing, start at A$2,699 ($1,912) per person.
The couple will travel to the capital, Canberra, on Wednesday to meet military veterans, attend a mental health summit in Melbourne on Thursday, and round off the joint leg of their trip with sailing and rugby events in Sydney on Friday.
Why This Matters
Their latest visit has captured public attention in Australia, where Britain’s King Charles is the head of state, though a sizeable minority supports becoming a republic.
The muted welcome reflects a shift in public sentiment since the couple stepped back from royal duties. While their 2018 visit was met with fanfare, this trip has been marked by a petition against taxpayer-funded security and a more subdued reception from both media and public.
For now, the Sussexes are continuing their work on mental health, veterans’ affairs and wellness — but the spotlight has dimmed since their royal days.
Sources: Reuters
