Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will return to Australia this month for a string of private and public events that one veteran commentator claims will 'upset' Buckingham Palace, with the duchess fronting a high-priced women's 'wellness' retreat in Sydney as the centrepiece. The trip, which Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are undertaking without their children Archie and Lilibet, has been described by critics as a 'faux royal' tour designed to boost the couple's brand.
The Sussexes last visited Australia in 2018 on a formal royal tour that took in Sydney, Melbourne, and regional communities, complete with walkabouts, official receptions, and heavy media coverage. Then, they were newlyweds and working royals, representing the late Queen and hailed as the modern face of the monarchy. This time, they return as private citizens, having stepped back from royal duties in 2020, set up commercial ventures in the United States, and levelled a series of public criticisms at the institution they left behind.
