Harry and Meghan have landed in Australia for a four-day tour covering Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney. However, many Australians appear unimpressed or unaware of their visit.
The couple flew on Qantas flight QF94 from Los Angeles, arriving at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport at 6.38 am on Tuesday. They were welcomed by a private convoy and guided through a VIP exit, according to reports.
The agenda focuses on topics important to the Sussexes such as veterans, children’s welfare, mental health, and sports. Despite this, there are no scheduled public walkabouts due to security concerns and the costs of maintaining public order.
Public sentiment towards the visit seems lukewarm at best. Interviews with Sydney locals revealed minimal excitement about the royal couple’s presence. Some expressed criticism, with one man stating that Harry and Meghan are more focused on self-promotion and should do more for the public rather than engage in ongoing family disputes.
Another interviewee mentioned a lack of awareness about the visit in Australian media coverage, indicating a general disinterest among the public. The visit has also sparked controversy, with over 46,000 people signing a petition to prevent the use of public funds for the couple’s security expenses.
While initially downplaying concerns about funding, Sussexes’ representatives acknowledged that taxpayers in New South Wales and Victoria would contribute to part of the security costs. This contrasts with their warmly received 2018 visit, which saw enthusiastic crowds and public receptions. This time, the welcome has been notably subdued.
