Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's high-profile tour of Australia in October has been branded a 'shameless circus' by critics, who accuse the couple of using their lingering royal status as a cash machine while Australian taxpayers help fund their security.
The trip by Prince Harry and Markle was billed as a mix of charity engagements and commercial events, echoing the structure of an official royal visit while remaining firmly private. The couple, who stepped back from frontline royal duties in 2020 and now live in the United States, arrived without their children but with a schedule that combined hospital walkabouts, a visit to a women's refuge, and paid speaking and wellness appearances carrying hefty price tags.
