Prince Harry and Meghan have recently landed in Australia for a four-day tour covering Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney. Despite their high-profile visit, many Australians appear unimpressed or unaware of their presence.
The royal couple arrived in Melbourne via a Qantas flight from Los Angeles, receiving a warm welcome with a private escort upon their arrival at Tullamarine Airport. Their itinerary emphasizes issues important to them, such as veterans, children’s welfare, mental health, and sports. However, the schedule does not include any public walkabouts due to security concerns and the costs associated with crowd control.
Although the lack of public appearances was anticipated to be significant, interviews with locals in Sydney revealed minimal excitement about the royal visit. Some residents expressed criticism towards Harry and Meghan, citing a preference for more public engagement and resolution of family disputes.
Furthermore, the visit has stirred controversy, with a significant number of people signing a petition to prevent public funds from being used for the couple’s security expenses. Initially dismissed as a non-issue by the Sussexes’ spokesperson, it was later confirmed that taxpayers in New South Wales and Victoria would contribute to a portion of the security operation.
In contrast to their previous visit in 2018, where they received a warm reception, this time, the couple’s welcome in Australia has been noticeably subdued. The subdued response marks a departure from the enthusiastic public reception they enjoyed during their earlier official tour shortly after their wedding.
