Police have refuted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s assertion that they are solely funding their Australia tour. Recent details indicate that taxpayers are partially financing the trip, contradicting the couple’s previous statements. Authorities in New South Wales are implementing security measures to ensure public safety during the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with additional security expenses falling on the police budget.
While NSW Police usually provide standard services without charge, events requiring heightened security may involve organizers covering extra costs. In this case, no formal agreement has been made for Harry and Meghan’s visit, meaning the police will bear the additional security expenses.
Victoria Police stated that they assess events and deployments to ensure community safety, but they do not comment on specific operational details. These statements conflict with claims made by Liam Maguire, the Sussexes’ PR representative, who emphasized the non-publicity nature of the trip, focusing on supporting communities and organizations with measurable impact.
A petition with over 43,000 signatures has been initiated, expressing concern over public funds being used for the Sussexes’ trip, given their status as non-working royals. The advocacy group, Beyond Australia, raised transparency and resource usage issues in their campaign. They also disputed exaggerated reports of security concerns at Meghan’s purported Sydney appearance.
Harry and Meghan had previously visited Australia in 2018 as working royals, engaging with communities and landmarks. A memorable moment from that trip was captured in a photograph of the couple at the Opera House, later used as promotional material for their Netflix series.
COOKIE CONSENT: This website uses cookies and identifiers to enhance user experience, analyze site usage, and display personalized ads. You can manage your data preferences by opting out of data sharing/selling through the provided button. Your use of the site signifies acceptance of cookie usage and agreement to the Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.
