Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday morning, marking the beginning of their four-day private tour of Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down at Tullamarine Airport shortly after 6:30 AM local time aboard a commercial Qantas flight from Los Angeles.
Key Takeaways
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle began their four-day private tour of Australia with a low-key arrival in Melbourne. They visited the Royal Children's Hospital and have planned engagements at charitable organizations and commercial events, sparking debate over potential costs to Australian taxpayers.
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday morning aboard a commercial Qantas flight
- The couple opted for business class seats and quickly departed without posing for media photographs
- They visited the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne after arriving at their city center hotel
- Their itinerary includes visits to charitable organizations, veterans' events, and commercial engagements
- A protest petition signed by more than 45,000 people has been launched over potential costs to Australian taxpayers
Their arrival was notably low-key compared to their previous royal visit in 2018, which included extensive fanfare and public appearances. This time, the couple opted for business class seats on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and quickly departed through a side door without posing for media photographs. According to Daily Mail, this decision left TV networks waiting at the arrivals gate disappointed.
After a brief stop at their city center hotel, they visited the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne just after midday, where they were greeted by a large crowd of well-wishers. The couple walked in almost without ceremony, greeting hospital management before making their way around to meet children and staff.
Their itinerary includes visits to charitable organizations such as women's shelters and veterans' events in Canberra and Sydney. However, their schedule also features commercial engagements, including Prince Harry's keynote speech at a mental health summit where tickets cost up to $2,400 per person. Meghan will participate in a wellness retreat in Sydney, with attendees paying up to $3,199 for VIP experiences.
The tour has sparked debate over the potential costs to Australian taxpayers. While the couple's travel is privately funded, local media have reported that some policing costs associated with their visit may be covered by public funds. This has led to a protest petition signed by more than 45,000 people. The couple's office insists they are keen to minimize disruption and ensure community safety.
Meghan Markle made a solo visit to the McAuley homeless center in Melbourne's inner-west on Tuesday afternoon. Dressed head-to-toe in designer clothes and priceless gold jewellery, including Princess Diana's Cartier watch, she served lunch to homeless women sheltering there. She wore a navy Priscilla dress by Karen Gee ($1,250), Dior pumps (up to $1,000), 14k yellow gold Puffy Heart earrings ($1,118), and other jewelry worth around $50,000 in total. Despite the hefty price tags on her outfit, Meghan warmly greeted residents and served zucchini slice for lunch.
The absence of walkabouts and public meet-and-greets reflects their desire for privacy and security. This tour contrasts sharply with their 2018 visit, which included large crowds and extensive media coverage. As private citizens, Harry and Meghan are free to personally profit from the trip, though questions remain about the balance between charitable work and commercial interests.
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