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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are currently visiting Australia for planned engagements and public appearances. The trip, which is the couple’s first since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, sparked interest as the couple continues to shape their post-royal roles, focusing on selective initiatives, advocacy work, and maintaining their global presence.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Australia on April 14, beginning their four-day visit to the country, their first time back since their October 2018 royal tour. Australia, a constitutional monarchy under King Charles III, remains part of the Commonwealth, adding symbolic significance to the couple’s return.
As part of their coverage for the Sussexes’ visit, the BBC asked a few Australians about their thoughts on the trip. Of the five people they talked to, only one was aware that Prince Harry and Meghan were in the country.
“Yes, I did read about it… I don’t know why they’re coming,” Francesca said. Meanwhile, Deanne Cobb remarked, “Can I be honest and tell you I don’t really think about them at all?”
“Honestly, no. I didn’t really know they came last time as well,” said Ayden Tran.
The people who were interviewed also shared their personal takes on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Deanne said she felt “sorry” for the couple, who she feels are “just trying to live their lives” and are facing “heavy scrutiny and speculation” from the public.
Alex Hadley, meanwhile, said it must be “nice” for the couple not to be tied to “royal stuff,” adding, “But I guess that also means that they’re not as, sort of, relevant.” Francesca said she feels sorry that they “left” the royal family, but thinks “they went about it the wrong way.”
Andrew Bridge had some strong opinions, saying the couple is all about “self-promotion” and that they are his least favorite royals. “I really think they need to step up and do more for the general public and finish this ongoing feud with their family, which is, to be honest, becoming pretty boring,” Andrew said.
For their first visit to Australia since stepping down from their royal duties, Prince Harry and Meghan flew business class on a commercial flight on Australian airline Qantas, as reported by the Daily Mail. After stepping off the plane, the couple didn’t pose for photos and instead went directly into their vehicle.
Some passengers on the same flight only found out they had flown with Prince Harry and Meghan after deplaning. One, however, said they had a brief conversation with the couple and talked about their children, Archie and Lilibet.
Another passenger expressed their displeasure about the visit, telling the outlet, “I don’t like her at all. Don’t come here. You don’t belong here in Australia. We don’t want them here.”
Prince Harry and Meghan visited Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, where they were warmly welcomed by members of the staff and some patients. The couple navigated the halls hand-in-hand and stopped to pose for pictures and converse with patients and their families.
A 12-year-old patient, Novalie Morris, told PEOPLE that she met the couple. “I gave Harry flowers and he said ‘thank you’ and he told me to ‘keep being brave.’ It cheered me up a lot and I’ll keep thinking about that,” she shared.
Professor Christine Kilpatrick, who is part of the Board Chair of the hospital, said Prince Harry and Meghan’s visit was a big success, noting that the people were “delighted” to see them. “You can’t measure the morale boost, but it is palpable. Many of these patients have been here for quite some time and are often very frequent visitors to the hospital, a joy like this is wonderful for them,” Kilpatrick stated.
Throughout their privately funded trip, Prince Harry and Meghan will be making the rounds to various charities and causes that they support. According to reports, the couple will visit a women’s shelter, attend an event with families of war veterans, attend ceremonies and mental health events, go to a rugby match, and promote Invictus Australia.
After four days together, Prince Harry and Meghan’s schedules diverge, with the latter remaining in Sydney to host the “Her Best Life” women’s wellness retreat on April 17 to 19.
