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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are currently in Australia for the first time in eight years as the couple begin a four-day private tour.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were last Down Under in 2018, when they were still senior members of the royal family.
Almost a decade on, this trip is a lot different to their previous visit for many reasons — most notably that it hasn’t involved any royal ‘walkabouts,’ described as informal, planned strolls where British Royal Family members walk among crowds, shaking hands, chatting, and receiving gifts from the public.
Rather, the couple are combining visits to charitable causes with commercial ventures, while Meghan is reportedly also trying to expand the reach of her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
And, because Harry and Meghan’s visit is in a private capacity this time, it’s likely the reason they’ve relaxed on the title front, too.
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Yesterday, the Sussexes enjoyed a tour around Melbourne, Australia’s unofficial cultural capital, on the southeast coast.
While visiting the Royal Children’s Hospital in the city, they were asked how they would like to be addressed.
Harry’s response was a simple shrug of the shoulders, saying ‘However you like,’ while Meghan simply suggested: ‘Call me Meg?’
The couple’s aide also said that ‘Harry and Meghan is fine, they’re pretty relaxed’ when asked by hospital staff about their title preferences, The Telegraph reports.
The aide added that both the Duke and Duchess ‘love Australia, and are really excited to return,’ saying that the country is like a home for Harry, who has ‘spent a lot of time here and is really looking forward to meeting up with old friends.’
Ahead of the visit, a Change.com petition demanding that Harry and Meghan receive ‘no taxpayer funding or official support’ during their ‘private visit to Australia’ went viral, and attracted more than 45,000 signatures. It argued that ‘public funds should not be used for private visits.’
However, the couple’s office responded to the backlash, stating that the trip is indeed being privately funded.
A statement said it will concentrate on ‘mental health, community resilience, and support for veterans and their families, alongside private meetings and special projects.’
After Melbourne, they moved on to the capital, Canberra, where Prince Harry visited the Australian War Memorial with Indigenous Veterans, followed by a reception for Invictus Australia.
Tomorrow, they’re heading back to Melbourne for an Aboriginal walking tour, before attending the InterEdge Summit, where Harry is booked as a keynote speaker.
Finally, on April 17 — their fourth and final day of the tour — the Duke and Duchess are set to sail around Sydney Harbour with Invictus Australia. They’ll also attend a rugby match at Allianz Stadium.
Away from their ‘official’ engagements, let’s not forget about Meghan’s controversial ‘girls weekend,’ dubbed ‘Meg-stock.’
The former Suits actress will be a headline guest speaker of podcaster Gemma O’Neill’s ‘Her Best Life’ event, described as the ‘girls’ weekend like no other.’
The event will be held in Sydney at the five-star InterContinental Coogee Beach hotel from April 17 to April 19, with tickets priced at an eye-watering £1,400.
For VIP access, which includes a group table photograph with Meghan, it’s a steeper £1,670.
The podcast says of the event: ‘Join us for an intimate luxury weekend by the ocean designed to bring women together for powerful conversations, relaxation, laughter and unforgettable experiences.
‘Set at the stunning InterContinental Coogee Beach, this exclusive retreat brings the ‘Her Best Life’ community to life through inspiring speakers, meaningful connections, and plenty of time to unwind and celebrate.’
It revealed that the ‘highlight of the weekend will be an in-person conversation with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.’
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