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Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Australia tour: Royal couple touch down in Melbourne

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April 13, 2026

Passengers who were sitting near the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Flying business class from Los Angeles to Melbourne, they had no idea of their famous seatmates until the pair were taken off the plane.

Prince Harry and Meghan arrived in the Victorian capital at 6am on a commercial Qantas flight and left the airport under the cover of privacy.

In fact, the former royals were so subdued that some of their fellow passengers were surprised to see them disembark.

The couple last visited Australia in 2018 during an official royal tour. (Getty)

“It wasn’t until we got off the plane that we realized it was them,” one passenger said Today.

“They actually slipped out of the plane quite quickly,” said another.

However, some lucky passengers did enjoy a chat with Harry and Meghan during the 15-hour flight.

One woman said she spoke to the Sussexes ‘about their children’ and heard about their whirlwind Australian itinerary.

“They were super friendly around the washrooms,” added another.

It is the first time that Prince Harry and Meghan have returned to Australia since their royal departure in 2020.

Harry and Meghan arrived at a commercial in Melbourne on a commercial Qantas flight. (Nine/Today)

It is also their first visit since their one and only royal tour Down Under in 2018.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will make appearances in Melbourne and Sydney, where Meghan will appear at the Her Best Life Retreat this weekend.

The exclusive event is co-hosted by Gemma O’Neill, host of the Her best life podcast and manager of radio star Jackie O Henderson. Tickets started $2699.

It’s one of several events Harry and Meghan plan to attend during their private trip to Australia, which is not to be confused with an official royal tour.

Harry and Meghan’s visit will reportedly cost Australian taxpayers. (Variety via Getty Images)

When the duo stepped down from their roles as senior working royals, they gave up the right to represent the monarch (then Queen Elizabeth II, now King Charles III) abroad or perform official royal duties on their behalf.

Harry and Meghan also lost access to royal funding and claim their visit to Australia will be self-funded.

However, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that police services for the couple will be taxpayer funded.

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