By Blessing Nweke
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have arrived in Australia for a four-day այց that combines charitable engagements with private, revenue-generating appearances.
The couple, who stepped back as senior royals in 2020, landed in Melbourne early Tuesday on a commercial flight from Los Angeles. Visiting in a private capacity, their itinerary spans Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, focusing on causes such as children’s health, veterans’ welfare and support for survivors of family violence.
At Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, they met patients, families and medical staff, stopping for conversations, photos and informal interactions. Witnesses described a warm reception, with the pair engaging closely with children receiving treatment.
Alongside these charitable visits, the tour also reflects their commercial ventures. Prince Harry is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit in Melbourne, where ticket prices range from about A$1,000 to A$2,400. Organisers say a portion of proceeds will support the charity Lifeline, though it remains unclear whether he will receive a speaking fee.
Meanwhile, Meghan is set to headline an “in-person conversation” at a women-only wellness retreat in Sydney. Tickets for the event reach up to A$3,199, with premium packages offering exclusive photo opportunities.
Unlike their 2018 royal tour, no public meet-and-greet events are planned, with aides citing a desire to minimise disruption. Police in Victoria and New South Wales confirmed security operations will be in place throughout the visit.
The trip marks their first return to Australia in several years and highlights their evolving role as private figures balancing philanthropy with commercial interests.
Original article
Comments