Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have embarked on their quasi-royal tour in Australia, despite much criticism over the Sussexes using their titles to “cash in.”
Harry and Meghan Visited a Children’s Hospital in Melbourne
Harry and Meghan appeared delighted as they arrived to the sound of cheers and applause on their trip to meet young cancer patients at Melbourne’s children’s hospital.
The couple spent time chatting with the children and their parents. Afterward, Meghan went solo to serve lunch to homeless women at a shelter in Melbourne.
The women were nervous and excited to meet the Duchess. Some of the residents knew about her Netflix lifestyle show, “With Love, Meghan,” and her brand, As Ever.
They were also excited that she was cooking for them in the center’s kitchen. According to the Daily Mail,
“Harry and Meghan’s four- day Australian tour is much more low-key than in 2018, when the then-newlyweds embarked on a 16- day tour of the Pacific.”
Harry and Meghan also stopped at the Australian National Veterans Art Museum. After they were given a tour, they joined some children for pottery class.
While the pair plan to make joint appearances, they are also expected to split for solo engagements during their tour.
On Wednesday, Prince Harry will head to Whitten Oval, which is the headquarters of the AFL Club, the Western Bulldogs, for an event.
Afterward, the Duke will travel to Canberra to visit the Australian War Memorial, meet some Indigenous veterans, and attend a reception for Invictus.
Then, Harry will return to Melbourne to meet back with Meghan for a guided cultural walk and visit a mental health charity, before he’s set to deliver his keynote speech at the InterEdge summit.
Harry and Meghan Have Generated Controversy Over Their Quasi-Royal Visit
Harry and Meghan will also take part in business events in various cities, like Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra. It’s not clear how much money the couple will make from their commercial appearances.
However, the cost for a ticket to Meghan’s beach retreat is about $250,000. Unfortunately for the Duchess, the Daily Mail has reported that the big girls’ retreat weekend has failed to sell out.
There is also much controversy and fury over Harry and Meghan’s pseudo-royal visit. Victorian Opposition Leader, Jess Wilson, said,
“Victoria Police are there to provide security and safety for Victorians. So, any suggestion that officers are going to be pulled off duty to provide security and protection for Harry and Meghan’s visit is absolutely unacceptable.”
Libertarian MP David Limbrick added,
“If people want to spend thousands of dollars on former royals, that’s fine. But Victorian taxpayers should not be on the hook to provide the security of millionaires.”
The consensus seems to be that Harry and Meghan are using their royal titles to generate cash for themselves. The late Queen Elizabeth II vehemently opposed Harry and Meghan’s half-in, half-out approach. She expressly told them she didn’t want them to use the royal family to make money or for publicity.
Another Australian, Andrew Bridge, said,
“I wasn’t aware they were coming at all. They are very much about self-promotion. They would probably be my least favorite royals, let’s put it that way. They need to do more for the public and finish this feud with their family, which, to be honest, is becoming pretty boring.”
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