Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new public relations manager has criticized those who oppose the couple with a sharp statement.
Liam Maguire, a close friend of Harry, emphasized that the upcoming trip to Australia by the couple will not be funded by Australian taxpayers. This clarification comes despite over 43,000 individuals signing a petition expressing their disapproval of public funds being used for the trip.
Critics have suggested that the tour is merely a publicity stunt, especially after the couple’s recent loss of a contract with Netflix. However, Mr. Maguire defended the trip, stating that it aligns with the Duke and Duchess’s ongoing projects and focuses on supporting impactful organizations. He emphasized that the visit’s main objectives are to listen, learn, and aid communities rather than purely self-promotion.
Mr. Maguire’s statement was provided in response to a Q&A section of a document released to the press regarding the upcoming tour, set to commence next Tuesday. The document discloses details of the itinerary, which includes stops in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney.
As outlined in the “Operational Planning Notes,” Prince Harry and Meghan will appear together at events centered around veterans’ issues and mental health, including visits to a children’s hospital and an Invictus Australia event in Sydney Harbor.
During the trip, Meghan, 44, will visit a women’s homelessness shelter independently, while Harry, 41, will participate in activities at an AFL club in Melbourne and attend a rugby union match in Sydney. Additionally, Harry is scheduled to make a brief solo visit to Canberra.
Having left the UK for the US in 2020 and stepped back from their roles in the Royal Family, Harry and Meghan’s upcoming visit to Australia bears resemblance to a traditional royal tour. Despite warnings from royal experts about potential hostility in some areas, the couple has been invited by various groups in Australia, leading to a packed four-day schedule. They will not, however, engage in public “walkabouts” due to security concerns and associated costs.
Mr. Maguire, the couple’s recently appointed chief communications officer, confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan’s children, Archie and Lilibet, will not accompany them on the trip. Notably, during the 2014 Australia tour by Prince William and Kate Middleton, a one-year-old Prince George captured hearts worldwide when he was pictured meeting a bilby at a zoo.
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