Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan are set to arrive in Australia on Tuesday for a four-day visit featuring engagements centered on sport, mental health, and veterans’ affairs. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will start their trip with a visit to a children’s hospital in Melbourne. Following this, Meghan will visit a women’s domestic violence shelter.
Their itinerary emphasizes mental health, community resilience, and support for veterans and their families, alongside private meetings and special projects. On Wednesday, the couple will travel to Canberra to meet military veterans. Thursday will see them attend a mental health summit back in Melbourne, while Friday’s schedule includes sailing and rugby events in Sydney.
Since stepping down as working members of the British royal family in 2020, the Sussexes relocated to the United States, seeking financial independence and relief from intense media scrutiny. Their last visit to Australia was in 2018, when they were still active royals; notably, Meghan’s first pregnancy was announced shortly after their arrival in Sydney.
This latest visit has drawn significant public interest in Australia, where King Charles remains the head of state, though a considerable portion of the population supports transitioning to a republic. While the couple’s travel expenses are privately covered, some policing costs during the visit will be borne by Australian taxpayers, prompting a protest petition signed by over 45,000 individuals.
