Harry and Meghan Australia tour: Petition demands no taxpayer funding

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s upcoming tour of Australia has sparked backlash, with thousands signing a petition calling on the couple to pay for it themselves.

More than 34,340 signatures have been gathered on the Change.org petition titled “No Taxpayer-Funding or Official Support for Harry & Meghan’s Private Visit to Australia!”

The Duke and Duchess are due to arrive in Australia next month for a series of engagements in Sydney and Melbourne, including a women’s empowerment retreat, the Daily Mail reported.

However, Beyond Australia, which launched the petition, said Australians should not be expected to foot the bill for the couple’s tour, including security, logistics, or government co-ordination.

According to the Daily Mail, federal and state governments had previously declined to clarify who would cover security costs for the visit, prompting speculation about taxpayer funding.

The Sussexes’ trip is now understood to be privately funded.

“Since stepping down from royal duties in 2020, [the Duke and Duchess] no longer represent the Crown and now operate private commercial ventures based in the United States”, the petition reads.

“At a time when Australians are facing significant cost-of-living pressures, including rising grocery bills, fuel prices, mortgage stress driven by interest rate hikes, and increasing energy costs, public resources must be used responsibly,” it says.

A spokesperson for the couple told the Daily Mail: “It’s a moot point. The trip is being funded privately, so I’m not sure what this petition hopes to achieve.”

Earlier this month, Markle, 44, was announced as the featured guest speaker at the “Her Best Life Retreat” in Sydney, billed as “a girls’ weekend like no other!”

Tickets to the sold-out event cost up to A$3199 ($3860), with VIP guests promised a group photo with the Suits actor.

The event will accommodate 300 guests who are expected to take part in wellness sessions designed to facilitate “powerful conversations, relaxation, laughter and unforgettable experiences”.

Prince Harry was also announced as the headline speaker at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit in Melbourne.

The event’s website says the 41-year-old will join other “global thought leaders” sharing insights on mental health and workplace wellbeing.

Tickets for the summit start at A$1978.

RadarOnline reported the tour will be recorded by reality TV cameras for a potential new streaming project.

Sources close to the couple claimed they are working to produce a “glossy travel and food documentary highlighting Australia’s culture, landscapes and cuisine”.

Markle’s Netflix show With Love, Meghan was cancelled after two seasons after scathing reviews.