Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are scheduled to visit Australia in mid-April 2024 for a series of private events and business engagements. However, their upcoming trip has sparked considerable backlash among local residents, who are voicing concerns about potential taxpayer funding for the visit.
Residents are demanding that the couple’s trip be classified as a “private celebrity visit” rather than a royal engagement, given that they stepped down from their royal duties in 2020 and no longer represent the British Crown. A petition circulating on Change.org asserts that “Australian taxpayers must not be expected to fund security, logistics or government coordination” for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during their visit.
According to reports from RadarOnline, the couple will engage in various private, business, and philanthropic activities in both Sydney and Melbourne during their time in Australia. This announcement has led to an uproar among Australians, especially as many face rising cost-of-living pressures. Local residents argue that public resources should be allocated responsibly, stating, “Taxpayer-funded security, government coordination or any form of official status should not be provided for a private visit.”
The Change.org petition emphasizes that providing security and government coordination for the couple would incur significant costs to the public. It calls for Australia to reserve official support exclusively for working royals and their official tours, reinforcing the sentiment that taxpayers should not subsidize a visit deemed private.
This marks the couple’s first trip to Australia since 2018, when they were still active members of the royal family. Since stepping back from royal duties, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have continued their international engagements, focusing on humanitarian work in various countries. Their travels have included visits to Nigeria, Colombia, and, most recently, Jordan.
As the April visit approaches, it remains to be seen how local sentiment will influence the arrangements for the couple’s stay in Australia. The ongoing discussions reflect broader concerns regarding the use of public funds and the role of former royals in international appearances.
