Experts say the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could spark debate as they prepare for engagements in Sydney and Melbourne
Meghan Markle and Harry have been cautioned that their upcoming visit to Australia may not receive the warm reception they once enjoyed.
The California-based couple are expected to travel to Sydney and Melbourne in mid-April, where they will attend a series of private, business and charitable engagements. Some of the planned activities are also set to involve members of Australia’s armed forces and the veterans’ community.
However, the announcement has already stirred discussion about how the pair will be received during the trip.
An insider suggested that public reaction could be mixed, noting that both supporters and critics of the monarchy may have strong opinions about the visit.
“I think there will be plenty of monarchists and republicans who won’t welcome Harry and Meghan’s visit,” the source said, adding that any appearance by members of the royal family often revives conversations about the monarchy’s role.
Royal commentator Tom Sykes also weighed in, writing in his The Royalist Substack that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could become central figures in Australia’s continuing debate about the royal family and the country’s constitutional future.
He suggested that the couple may attract significant attention and criticism during the trip, warning that they may need “thick skins” when arriving in a country where public opinion is no longer guaranteed to be supportive.
Earlier, a spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle confirmed the visit, saying the couple would take part in several engagements across Australia.
“Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will visit Australia in mid-April to take part in a number of private, business and philanthropic engagements. Further details will be shared in due course,” the spokesperson said.
Reports have also suggested that their children are unlikely to accompany them during the visit.
