Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been delivered a brutal message ahead of their upcoming Australia trip. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will head Down Under for a series of “private, business and philanthropic engagements” in mid-April. Speculation that the couple won’t receive the warm reception they are hoping for has been rife, however, with Sky News Australia host Paul Murray warning that the country’s citizens “aren’t massive fans”.
Such suggestions appear to have been substatiated by a new Change.org petition with over 11,000 signatures calling for the duke and duchess to cover all the costs of their trip privately, with no taxpayer or official support. Noting that the pair forfeited their royal duties by stepping back from the firm in 2020, the petition reads: “If they come as private individuals, Australian taxpayers must not be expected to fund security, logistics or government coordination.”
It continued: “Their visit is understood to involve media appearances, busienss activities and private events. Since stepping down from royal duties, Harry and Meghan no longer represent the Crown and now operate private commercial ventures from the United States.
“At a time when Australians are facing serious cost of living pressures, public resources must be used responsibly. Taxpayer-funded security, government coordination or any form of official status should not be provided for a private visit.”
The campaign founder added that providing taxpayer funds to Harry and Meghan would amount to covering the costs of a “celebrity” appearance.
The appeal was also accompanied by a photo of the couple alongside an Australian flag and the caption: “We don’t want you here.”
The upcoming visit will mark the first time Harry and Meghan have visited Australia since their 16-day royal tour of the South Pacific in 2018.
The Express has contacted the Sussexes for comment.
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