Harry and Meghan’s trip felt like a royal tour – except many Aussies weren’t interested

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex concluded their four-day visit to Australia’s eastern coast, traversing a schedule that included Indigenous heritage, sports events, charitable initiatives, and a stop at the national war memorial. The itinerary mirrored the structure of a classic royal tour, yet the couple’s status as non-working members of the monarchy altered the dynamic. In contrast to their 2018 visit, which drew massive crowds during a nine-day tour, this time saw a noticeable shift in public engagement.

This time around, the couple’s presence seemed to generate less enthusiasm. Many Australians the BBC spoke to expressed unawareness or indifference toward the visit. Some even voiced frustration, citing concerns about taxpayer-funded security costs for their public appearances. Giselle Bastin, a Flinders University associate professor studying Australia’s monarchy ties, noted the deliberate approach to their exposure. “If they think it’s gone well, it’s because nothing has gone wrong,” she remarked. “They didn’t turn up at major advertised events, so they’ve minimized the risk of backlash or negative reactions.”

“They’ve managed to keep things low-key, allowing them to appear spontaneous rather than orchestrated,” Bastin added.

Despite the subdued reception, moments of connection emerged. At the Sydney Opera House, Prince Harry interacted warmly with Michelle Haywood, who wore her late husband’s Victoria Cross. Haywood, the daughter of a servicewoman, shared a poignant memory of her mother’s 2015 encounter with the prince. “He just said, ‘Oh my gosh’ and then he gave me a big hug,” Haywood recalled. “It was beautiful. He remembered the day it rained heavily during their meeting.”

Meaghan Markle also demonstrated her empathy, engaging with Bondi Beach attack survivors and connecting with a child about her love for the Australian book Diary of a Wombat. The press releases from their media team echoed this sentiment, repeatedly emphasizing “connection” and “community” in language that felt more personal than royal. The term “royal” appeared only once, in the name of the Melbourne children’s hospital they visited on day one.

Mental health was a recurring focus, particularly during discussions with youth about social media’s impact. Meghan recounted her decade-long experience as “the most trolled person in the world,” highlighting online attacks she faced. Yet, their Instagram account “@sussexroyal” has amassed 8.7 million followers, underscoring the platform’s role in their visibility. With their media deals with Spotify and Netflix now concluded, the couple is embracing new avenues to fund their independent lifestyle.

Commercial aspects of the trip remained ambiguous. Harry delivered a compelling speech at a mental health summit, but organizers refused to confirm if he received payment. Tickets for the event were heavily discounted, yet still cost nearly A$1,000 per person. Meanwhile, Meghan was compensated for a two-hour appearance at a “girls only” retreat, where VIP tickets reached A$3,199. She also became an investor in OneOff, an AI fashion platform, with a share of sales benefiting featured celebrities.

Harry and Meghan are now forging their own path, balancing personal expression with public obligations. While their Australia trip showcased both connection and independence, it also revealed the evolving nature of their royal identity in a country where interest in the monarchy has steadily waned.