The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived in Melbourne for a four-day tour of Australia, marking their first visit since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. The couple landed on a commercial Qantas flight early this morning, navigating away from public view to avoid cameras.
During their stay, Prince Harry and Meghan plan to host several private events in Melbourne and Sydney, including Meghan’s appearance at the Her Best Life Retreat, co-hosted by Gemma O’Neill, a podcast host and manager of radio personality Jackie O Henderson. Tickets for this exclusive gathering start at $2,699.
This trip is not an official royal engagement but rather a private venture, although the couple will still attend various ticketed functions. It is their first return to Australia since their official royal tour in 2018, when they previously engaged with the public and attended events at notable locations such as the Sydney Opera House.
Since their departure from royal roles, Harry and Meghan have lost the privileges of representing the monarchy internationally, and their current visit is self-funded. However, reports have surfaced indicating that the policing services for their tour will be funded by Australian taxpayers.
This visit is highly anticipated, as it brings the couple back to Australia, a country they have a strong connection with following their previous engagements.