Celebrity
Harry and Meghan Australia Tour 2026: Sussexes show royal family what could have during Australian tour on their terms | Opinion
ADVICE – – When it comes to the Duke and Duchess of Sussexyou either love them or hate them
But there is a group in the middle – the curious – who made it happen Prince Harry and Meghan’s controversial return to Australia this week there were scenes of worship and joy, even though it was claimed they were there purely for self-promotion.
The curious were those waiting at the Sydney Opera House hoping to catch a glimpse of the couple when it was announced they would be arriving soon for a boat trip.
So too were the ones on Bondi Beach who coincidentally coincided their visit with Harry and Meghan’s and stuck around to watch the spectacle unfold.
There were similar scenes in Melbourne when the Sussexes walked along the Yarra River – most people had no idea they would be there, but the crowd quickly grew as the news spread.
And scenes from the couple’s first engagement, at the Royal Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, attracted enormous interest of staff, patients and their families, all crowding into the foyer or watching from the multiple levels above.
The official itinerary did not include walkabouts or opportunities for the public to see the couple, as that would have required a massive security operation involving taxpayer-funded police, like their 2018 visit.
READ MORE: A glimpse into Harry and Meghan’s tightly controlled new life
READ MORE: ‘Why Meghan’s surprising reality TV move isn’t a masterclass’
READ MORE: Harry and Meghan have been open about their motives
But Harry and Meghan made the most of their fleeting interactions with the public as they came and went throughout the week: shaking hands, hugs, kisses, selfies and lots of smiles.
Their impromptu meet and greet outside the Opera House yesterday was a last-minute decision as a medium-sized group of people had gathered behind security barriers set up ahead of their Invictus Games boat ride in the harbour.
Prince Harry and Meghan’s return to Australia was an overwhelming success for spectators. And it might leave the royal family a little worried about what comes next.
The Sussexes drew in crowds, doing charity drives and… they also made a lot of money.
This was a commercial visit for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with a handful of opportunities for Harry and Meghan to showcase their charities.
There was also a very emotional visit to meet the survivors of the Bondi Beach terror attack and the emergency services involved in the operation.
Polarizing but beloved, Harry and Meghan showed the Windsors what could have happened on their terms on a non-royal tour.
Six years ago, they asked Queen Elizabeth II for a half-in, half-out approach as they tried to leave the royal family to become financially independent.
The monarch rejected the model and Prince Harry and Meghan left. They would no longer represent the royal family, but they could receive a hefty return by capitalizing on their prominent role as former working royals.
Fast forward to now and this Australian visit, spread over four days, had all the hallmarks of a royal tour. But the Sussex team had emphasized that this was a private visit, one that was privately funded because Prince Harry and Meghan were now private individuals.
For a couple who used privacy as one of their main reasons for leaving the royal family, that concern has been thrown away for this new era of self-promotion, money-making and service.
Prince Harry and Meghan are still in servicebut in their own way. And they still tick all the boxes of what royals would normally do on a tour like this, but they choose the agenda that suits them.
Royal visits are usually made at the request of the government. In the case of the British Royal Family, the British government would be closely involved in the itinerary and planning, in consultation with the Australian government, which would have issued an official invitation for the royal family’s arrival.
Prince Harry and Meghan had no such worries this time.
They had free rein to put together a tour that would align with their personal beliefs and provide ample commercial opportunities.
They have succeeded in their half-in, half-out approach.
One can only imagine what King Charles and Prince William would think.
Although the late Queen banned Harry and Meghan from using their former Sussex Royal names for commercial purposes, they were free to use their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.
After multimillion-dollar contracts with Netflix and Spotify, among others, Harry and Meghan have achieved commercial success outside the royal family.
Meghan headlined a women-only retreat on Friday evening, with a $3,199 VIP ticket that includes a group photo.
The compensation for the Duchess’ appearance is unknown, but the event would have allowed the couple to travel to Australia and pay for their team of nine, later adding several charitable efforts to their program.
Meghans fashion also makes money. Every outfit worn in Australia – including at her charity events – has been quickly added to a shopping platform the Duchess has invested in.
On the OnOff site she is promoted as ‘Meghan’ and her name reads ‘Duchess of Sussex’.
All nine looks from her Australian tour are included with links to instantly purchase the clothes, shoes and jewelry Meghan is wearing.
One of these is the $1,250 navy Karen Gee ‘Priscilla’ dress worn by the Duchess at the Children’s Hospital on Tuesday during her first appearance in Australia for the tour.
The designer told nine.com.au that there was “always a noticeable level of global attention” when Meghan wears the brand.
“Which we are incredibly grateful for,” she added.
“Moments like this bring a lot of new eyes to the brand, and of course there is more interest.”
The Duchess wore Karen Gee on the first day of her tour with Prince Harry in 2018, a dress specially made for her pregnancy.
“It’s incredibly meaningful… so to see her return and choose Karen Gee again feels very special. There’s a quiet confidence in that decision.”
Speaking about Meghan’s status as a global fashion icon, Gee said: “There’s an ease in the way she dresses.”
“It’s intentional, without making you feel overworked.”
Meghan wore a number of other Australian brands including Scanlan Theodore, Matteau, Rolla’s, Camilla and Marc. For the first time since the 2018 visit, she wore her Paspaley pearl earrings again.
The commercialization of Meghan’s wardrobe is something she wouldn’t have been able to do through such a platform if she were still a working member of the royal family.
While outfits are often worn by many working royals, including the Princess of Wales bring brands huge profits if they are sold out, the royal family itself does not directly benefit from it.
Monetizing through a percentage of sales, Meghan’s investment in the shopping platform is just one example of her new post-royal life as an influencer.
It’s Meghan’s turn as guest judge on MasterChef Australia It is believed she was supporting her lifestyle brand As Ever, which sells jam, sprinkles, honey, shortbread mixes and wine.
The brand is expected to launch in Australia soon, its first market outside the US.
In 2018, Meghan reportedly told her staff, “I can’t believe I’m not getting paid for this,” stunned at being paraded in front of the public with no financial reward.
This time she has earned a good amount of money.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have now left Australia and are rumored to visit Britain later this year.
Prince Harry will launch the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games, to be held in Birmingham in 2027.
He hopes to bring Meghan and their two children with him if safety concerns can be resolved.
They have proven that a non-royal tour combining commercial and charitable efforts can work.
But will they be allowed to do it again in Britain?
Or perhaps Canada, which remains an untapped market for Prince Harry and Meghan, who briefly lived in the Commonwealth country after leaving Britain.
A look back at Prince Harry and Meghan’s royal tours as Duke and Duchess of Sussex
New Zealand is another option for the couple, if they want to stick to countries with long and deep ties to the royal family.
Prince Harry and Meghan have defied their critics by making a successful visit that has benefited them financially, as well as helping their various charities.
It was a tour on their terms. And the royal family can’t do anything about it.
FOLLOW US HERE ON WHATSAPP: Stay updated with the latest celebrity news, lifestyle and opinions through our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and no one can see your private data.