Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Australia on Tuesday for their first visit since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. The couple landed in Melbourne, beginning a four-day schedule of public and charity engagements. Harry, son of King Charles III, visited a children's hospital and is set to speak at a mental health summit where tickets cost Aus$997 ($706). Meghan is scheduled to attend a wellness event dubbed a "girls' weekend like no other" at Sydney's InterContinental Coogee Beach hotel. The event, priced at Aus$2,699 per person, includes yoga, sound healing, dinners and disco dancing. A "VIP experience" offers attendees a group photo with Meghan and a goodie bag for a higher fee. The itinerary includes a stop in Canberra, according to national broadcaster ABC. The trip marks their first return to Australia since their 2018 tour, which included New Zealand and Pacific islands. Victoria state opposition leader Jess Wilson criticised the use of public funds for security arrangements during their stay. Harry and Meghan now live in California with their two children, having stepped away from royal life amid a highly publicised rift with the British royal family. They have consistently spoken out against media scrutiny, particularly the treatment Meghan received in British press.
The most striking detail in this visit is not the glamour of the events or the price tags attached, but the fact that Australian taxpayers are footing the bill for security—a reality highlighted by Victoria state opposition leader Jess Wilson. This raises uncomfortable questions about the cost of hosting figures who no longer serve as working royals but still draw on public resources for protection.
Harry and Meghan's ability to monetise their presence through high-ticket events, while relying on state-funded security, underscores a broader shift in how modern celebrity intersects with residual royal status. While Harry speaks on mental health—a cause he has long championed—the Aus$997 entry fee for his summit limits access to those who can afford it, turning advocacy into a privilege. Similarly, Meghan's wellness weekend, priced beyond the reach of most Australians, frames empowerment as a luxury product.
For ordinary Australians, particularly those struggling with mental health or financial strain, the optics are jarring. Public funds used for security could be weighed against underfunded services in health or social care. The visit reflects a growing global trend where ex-institutional figures leverage past status for private gain, leaving the public to absorb the cost.
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