Palace ‘Fuming’ Over Harry and Meghan’s Australia Tour, Insider Alleges

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Australia tour has left the internet divided. Their naysayers feel that despite being privately funded, the couple wish to gain more visibility and promotion through the trip as well as some paid appearances and engagements. The latest reports suggest that the outing has also left the Royal Family fuming.

The couple's team has reportedly clarified that the trip focuses on community impact and charity, their critics have called out the combination of charitable visits coupled with paid appearances.

Amid this, the Duchess of Sussex’s “flashy and extravagant” outfit while visiting a children’s hospital and women’s shelter has drawn backlash on social media. Apart from this, the internet was also critical with viral pictures of the couple taking selfies with unwell children who had to remove their masks for photo ops.

The chatter and scrutiny surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Australian trip have further intensified amid their ongoing rift with King Charles and Prince William after the duo stepped back from the Royal Family in 2020 to gain financial and professional independence.

The couple arrived in Melbourne earlier this week for a privately funded four-day trip, with the duo traveling commercially from Los Angeles. Now, a royal commentator has revealed that their Australian tour has left the Royal Family upset.

According to a report in Fox News Digital, royal commentator Kinsey Schofield said, “The palace is unhappy about these rent-a-royal tours because it blatantly disregards the late queen’s instruction that there can be no half-in, half-out for the Sussexes.” He hinted that this might give the impression of the duo still attempting to cling to their royal status even after being estranged from the institution.

Calling out the couple, Schofield added, “The purpose of the Australian tour is monetary, but it is also to look like royals because the world has rejected Harry and Meghan as reality stars and podcasters. Their relevance remains through their proximity to the British Royal family. The Royal Family thinks it’s disrespectful.”

On the other hand, Helena Chard also criticized the outing and alleged that the couple has been trying to promote the Sussex brand while “undermining the very institution that gave them the platform.”

Royal author Robert Hardman chimed in that this trip might leave palace aides uncertain about its intent because of the already strained relationship of the Sussexes with the Royal Family.

Hardman said, “I’m sure [Buckingham Palace] would prefer that Harry and Meghan weren’t going, but there’s not a lot they can do about it. They have no control. There will undoubtedly be a sense of confusion about what Harry and Meghan are there for … this trip may stick in the gullet of the palace.”

However, despite this scrutiny Harry and Markle’s team remained persistent on the fact that the Australian tour was focused on meaningful and charitable work. The couple’s spokesperson revealed that the outing prioritizes, “visit prioritizes listening, learning, and supporting communities rather than promotion.”

Reportedly, Harry is set to deliver a speech at a mental health summit while the former Suits star will spearhead a women-focused wellness retreat in Sydney.