Meghan and Harry will soon find out what Aussies really think of them | Royal | News

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle think they will get a red carpet as ‘welcomed Royals’ when they arrive Down Under but they could be heading into the hornets’ nest – covered in sticky honey. If ever there was a time for one of their faux-Royals to jet into a country that’s expressed the desire to axe Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the Line of Succession, it’s not now.

Sarah Ferguson and Andrew’s behaviour, unearthed in the Jeffrey Epstein Files has sparked widespread rage, especially in Commonwealth countries. Meanwhile the image of the former Duke, 66, being driven home after police quizzed him on suspicion of misconduct in a public office was broadcast across the planet.

Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese has told Sir Keir Starmer his government would back plans to remove Andrew from the line of royal succession where he currently sits eighth in line to be King.

Next month, the Sussexes are hoping to recreate the magic of their 16-day tour to Australia in October 2018 when the newly-married couple rode a wave of joy and goodwill, boosted by Meghan announcing she was pregnant.

But this will not be a Royal Tour – as Meghan, 44, and Harry, 41, are no longer ‘Royals’. They scarpered off to California and bad-mouthed anyone that would help sell some books and Netflix subscriptions.

They fed the US’s royal obsession that’s rooted in celebrity, drama, our monarchy’s centuries-long stability, America’s fairytale love of heroic kings, dashing princes and pure princesses – plus our countries’ unique, shared history.

The Sussexes tapped into all that – and a left-wing, ultra-woke, left-wing US media that despises all the Royal Family stand for – and they said: “Want to know what they are all really like? Buy our book and find out.”

Playing the victim of the ‘Institution’ behind the monarchy was a novel story for a while but it’s worn thin of late and Harry and Meghan are finding future revenue streams in shorter supply.

Now they seem to want to revert to travelling the world, representing the Crown, posing with sick children and meeting ambassadors – the trouble is, they aren’t working royals.

What they are is a useful lightning rod for all those sparked into anger at the actions of Andrew and Fergie.

The backlash has already lit up Australia like a bolt of electricity and the Sussexes have not even jetted off from California yet.

Aussie media has discovered Meghan is set to appear at a women-only weekend retreat in Sydney, with tickets starting at a staggering £1,400 per person.

Touted as “a girls’ weekend like no other,” Meghan will speak at a gala dinner, with VIP ticket holders offered front-row seats and a group photo with the duchess.

The 300-person Sydney retreat – with a psychologist, yoga, sound healing, a disco, and meditation and manifestation sessions – has been organised by the Her Best Life podcast, founded by Gemma O’Neill and Jackie “O” Henderson.

Sky News Australia announced the Meghan ticket event under the headline: “Desperate for relevance.” They also used the words “utterly nauseating”.

It comes days after Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, announced it had ended its £75m partnership with streaming giant Netflix that began in 2020.

So if Harry and Meghan think the red carpet will be dusted off for them Down Under just like in 2018 and their faces will be beamed onto Ayres Rock they may be in for a shock.

As TalkTV’s Mark Dolan somewhat harshly put it: “The reason why it went that well in 2018 is because they didn’t know Meghan Markle very well. They know her now and what do they know her to be? A gold-digging grifter.”