As Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex took selfies, shared hugs and engaged in heart-to-hearts with cancer patients during a visit to a Melbourne children’s hospital, it felt very much like a real royal tour.
Sweeping into the city wearing a military-style dress by Aussie designer Karen Gee, plus the late Princess Diana’s Cartier watch, Meghan, 44, effortlessly went from the cancer ward to serving up frittata at a nearby women’s refuge, before changing outfits and rejoining Harry, 41, for a trip to the Australian National Veteran Arts Museum.
Busy schedule, louder critics
After that, the couple savvily divided and conquered, squeezing Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney into an action-packed four days, each covered by a rota of reporters and photographers. “Call me Meg,” the duchess insisted wherever she went.
She’d been heavily criticised for accepting cash for a speaking engagement at a luxury women’s retreat, but it didn’t stop Meghan also filming a guest appearance on MasterChef Australia – a move branded “desperate” by royal watchers.
Passion meets partnership
“Meghan absolutely loved it,” an on-set insider spills.
“She’s been obsessed with cooking programmes since she was a teen and even wrote about it on her old blog. This really was a dream gig.
Meghan also copped criticism for partnering with AI-powered fashion app OneOff, which allowed fans to shop for the duchess’ style choices as soon as she stepped out in each outfit. It’s thought she’ll receive a cut of 10 to 25% from sales.
Blurred lines and royal unease
It’s certainly not usual practice for a sanctioned tour, but with Harry and Meghan no longer working royals, this wasn’t one – palace sources have referred to it as a “cosplay tour” – and it’s reportedly infuriated the King, who says the visit has “cheapened” the monarchy.
A Windsor insider reveals Charles, 78, is “very uneasy” with the way Meghan, who is thought to be the brains behind the trip, has blurred the lines between royal tours and paid appearances. He’s particularly vexed about her antics in Australia, given how strategic the royals are when it comes to shoring up support for the monarchy in the Commonwealth.
Operating on their own terms
“Harry and Meghan are now acting outside of the rules set down for them by Queen Elizabeth when they first chose to give up royal duties,” says our source.
“They’re not accountable to anyone. They simply do what they want, when they want.”
While Harry is said to be angered by his wife’s show-boating, insiders say it’s nothing in comparison to how much her “crass money grabs” have angered Charles, who is now planning to confront Meghan about her “damaging” behaviour and issue a clear directive to stop any more trips like this.
Our source says, “Royal visits are about the people. In contrast, Harry and Meghan’s engagements are all about them, their profile and creating their own brand.”
