Harry and Meghan Combine Charity and Commercial Events During Australia Trip

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are visiting Australia for charity work and paid events. The privately funded trip mixes humanitarian visits with commercial engagements.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have arrived in Australia for a four-day visit that blends charitable engagements with privately arranged, revenue-generating appearances.
The couple, who are no longer serving as working members of the British royal family and are travelling in a private capacity, are expected to participate in a range of humanitarian-focused activities. These include meeting patients and healthcare professionals at a children’s hospital, engaging with military veterans and their families, and interacting with survivors of domestic and family violence.
At the same time, their itinerary reflects a commercial dimension. Prince Harry is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit, where ticket prices range up to A$2,400 (£1,260) per attendee. Meghan Markle is also set to take part in a separate paid engagement—an “in-person conversation” during a women-only wellness retreat described as a “girls’ weekend” in Sydney, organised by the producers of the Her Best Life podcast. The exact fees the couple may receive for these events have not been disclosed.
The pair touched down at Melbourne Airport at approximately 06:30 local time on Tuesday, having travelled from Los Angeles on a commercial Qantas flight. This marks their first visit to Australia since 2018, when they undertook a nine-day royal tour shortly after their wedding, drawing large public crowds at each stop. In contrast, no public meet-and-greet events have been scheduled for this trip.
Since stepping back from royal duties in January 2020 and relinquishing the use of their His and Her Royal Highness (HRH) titles, Harry and Meghan have operated as private individuals. They have stated that the current visit is privately funded. However, questions have arisen regarding whether any public funds—particularly for security and policing—may be used during their stay.
The tour will span multiple cities, including Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney. While their programme highlights causes and organisations aligned with their personal interests, their status as private citizens allows them the flexibility to earn income from selected engagements.
During their first day in Melbourne, the couple visited the Royal Children's Hospital, where a large number of patients, families, and staff gathered in the foyer in hopes of catching a glimpse of them. Prince Harry and Meghan spent time speaking with children undergoing treatment and their parents, posing for photographs, offering hugs, and engaging warmly with attendees. Among those present was Emily Burke, whose three-year-old daughter Phoebe had just been discharged after an overnight stay. Burke shared that Meghan spoke briefly with Phoebe, even commenting on her Bluey-themed slippers.
Meghan also visited a women’s refuge in Melbourne, where she assisted in serving meals—specifically frittata—to residents at the centre. She later joined them to eat and converse, remarking casually that although they had only just arrived that morning, the effects of jet lag had not yet set in.
Later in the week, Prince Harry is expected to deliver his keynote speech at the summit in Melbourne. Ticket prices for the event range from approximately A$1,000 to A$2,400, with a portion of proceeds going to the charity Lifeline. Event organisers have been asked to clarify whether Prince Harry will personally receive a speaking fee.
Although the official programme concludes on Friday evening with attendance at a rugby match in Sydney, Meghan’s additional appearance on Saturday extends the couple’s activities. She will participate in a wellness retreat held at a five-star beachfront hotel, where attendees are paying up to A$3,199 for the experience. Premium packages include opportunities such as a group photograph with the duchess. The event has not yet sold out, with organisers still advertising limited availability. Meghan’s compensation for this appearance has not been made public.
There are also indications that Australia may serve as a potential market for Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, which has been featured in a Netflix series produced by the couple’s media company. Trademark filings show that the brand was registered across 12 product categories in Australia last year, according to official intellectual property records.
The decision to forgo public meet-and-greet sessions has reportedly been made to minimise disruption both to the public and to host organisations. Nevertheless, law enforcement agencies in the states of Victoria and New South Wales have confirmed they will provide security support during the visit. Neither agency has specified whether the associated costs will be covered by taxpayers.
A spokesperson for the New South Wales Police Force stated that an operational plan is in place to maintain public safety, including additional security measures, while aiming to minimise community disruption. Similarly, Victoria Police confirmed awareness of the visit by “two high-profile individuals” and indicated that resources would be deployed as needed following standard assessments.
Security remains a sensitive issue for Prince Harry, who is currently fifth in line to the British throne. The matter has been particularly significant following his unsuccessful legal appeal in the United Kingdom regarding the reduction of his official security protection.
This visit to Australia also marks Prince Harry’s first public appearance since reports emerged that he is facing a defamation lawsuit linked to Sentebale, the African charity he co-founded.