Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seem to be facing an unspoken ban from Australia, coinciding with King Charles and Camilla's scheduled visit to the country later this year.
This marks the inaugural trip Down Under for King Charles and Queen Camilla since their ascension to the throne. Although the news is yet to be officially confirmed by Buckingham Palace, reports from the Daily Mirror suggest that Their Majesties plan to spend six days in Australia before continuing their regional tour with a stop in Samoa. While details are still being finalized, an official announcement is anticipated in the upcoming weeks.
There appears to be a noticeable lack of enthusiasm among Australians regarding the potential visit of the Sussexes, with many expressing reluctance to welcome Harry and Meghan. This sentiment poses significant challenges for the couple in organizing any activities beyond their engagements in Africa. One plausible explanation for the warmer reception in Africa could be the different resonance of Meghan's racial identity in those regions.
Despite these obstacles, Harry and Meghan remain eager to continue their global engagements, inspired by what they perceive as the success of their trip to Nigeria. However, their presence in Australia seems discouraged due to the overlap with King Charles and Camilla's tour, creating a scheduling conflict. Essentially, Harry and Meghan find themselves unofficially barred from visiting locations where King Charles and Camilla are scheduled to be present.
Speculation abounds as to whether Harry and Meghan might deliberately visit places on the royal family's itinerary as a form of statement. For instance, Prince William's Earthshot Prize event in South Africa could be a potential target if they wish to make a significant impact. However, such a move would require a level of boldness that some believe Harry lacks, suggesting that his courage is significantly influenced by Meghan.
Meghan has previously expressed dissatisfaction with her royal duties, particularly during a 2018 tour of Australia. In the book "Couriers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown," Valentine Low, the Times Royal correspondent, reveals Meghan's complaints about not being compensated for her engagements. She reportedly struggled to understand the purpose of public walkabouts and interacting with numerous strangers, expressing disbelief at not receiving payment. Additionally, biographer Tom Bower claims that Meghan's behavior during the Australia tour was abrasive and demanding, particularly towards staff and British diplomats. There are even reports of Meghan allegedly throwing a cup of tea into the air out of frustration, which Bower suggests may have been exacerbated by Harry's habit of searching for negative comments about them on social media.
In summary, the prospect of Harry and Meghan visiting Australia appears riddled with difficulties due to King Charles and Camilla's upcoming tour. Any visit by the Sussexes would clash with royal schedules, leading to an unofficial ban from the country. The negative sentiments expressed by many Australians further complicate their plans, making any visit outside of Africa increasingly challenging. Meghan's past complaints about royal duties and reports of abrasive behavior during the 2018 tour only add to the controversy surrounding their potential international engagements.
