Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are scheduled to visit Australia in mid-April 2025 for private, business, and philanthropic engagements. This will be their first visit to Australia since 2018, with the upcoming trip described as a 'pseudo-royal' or 'faux-royal' tour by multiple reports. The visit comes as the couple navigates their post-royal careers, blending personal appearances with brand-building efforts in a key international market.
Their previous tour in 2018 included Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand, according to major media reports. More recently, the couple visited Jordan in February for a two-day trip supporting humanitarian efforts, according to multiple reports. These trips set a precedent for their international engagements, though the Australia visit is framed differently as a privately organized venture rather than an official royal tour.
Key events during the Australia trip include Prince Harry headlining the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit in Melbourne on April 15-16, 2025, according to research sources. Meghan will headline the Her Best Life retreat in Sydney, participating in a live conversation with Gemma O'Neill, as confirmed by multiple research sources. The events highlight their separate professional focuses, with Harry addressing mental health and Meghan engaging in lifestyle and wellness discussions.
Financial aspects of the trip are notable, with Meghan reportedly receiving a lucrative sum, reportedly $1 million, for attending the Her Best Life retreat, according to Rob Shuter's Naughty But Nice Substack. Tickets for the Her Best Life retreat cost up to A$3,199 (around $2,285), according to research sources. These figures underscore the commercial nature of the engagement, contrasting with traditional unpaid royal duties.
Controversies over funding and security have emerged, with a petition amassing over 32,000 signatures opposing taxpayer funding for the trip, according to major media reports. Another Change.org petition with over 10,000 signatures opposes public funding for the couple's security and logistics, according to research sources. However, the trip is privately funded, according to major media reports, and Harry and Meghan will not conduct traditional royal 'walkabouts' during their visit due to security costs, as multiple sources indicate. Meghan Markle previously complained about 'not getting paid' for walkabouts during the 2018 tour, according to the book 'Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown'.
Business motivations behind the trip are significant, with the visit serving as a test to see if Australia could be a viable market for Meghan's As Ever brand, according to brand expert Nick Ede and commentator Rob Shuter. Meghan's As Ever brand has significant international web traffic, with 9% from Australia in February 2025, according to SimilarWeb data. Additionally, Meghan has secured 12 trademarks for As Ever in Australia, approved in June 2024, according to the Australian Government IP department.
King Charles has 'washed his hands' of Harry and Meghan regarding their trip.
As Ever brand developments include a split from Netflix, with Netflix no longer an equity partner, according to research sources. Meghan announced the relaunch of As Ever from American Riviera Orchard in February 2025, with Netflix initially as an equity partner, as multiple research sources report. However, a Sussex representative claimed the trademark filings were made without their knowledge and pre-dated their work, according to a representative for the Sussexes. Contradictions exist regarding the reason for As Ever's split from Netflix: some sources suggest the split was positive, implying Netflix held Meghan back, while others indicate it was due to Netflix's unhappiness over lack of consumer interest, according to a source to the Daily Mail.
Public and ticket sales challenges have surfaced, with Harry's scheduled keynote speech in Australia struggling to sell tickets, according to major media reports. The Her Best Life retreat is marketed as sold out, but a source reported tickets were still available upon registration, according to journalist Paula Froelich. This contradiction raises questions about the actual demand and success of Meghan's event, impacting perceptions of her commercial appeal.
Family and logistical details include that their children, Archie and Lilibet, are not expected to join them on the trip, according to major media reports. Walkabouts have been altered, with Harry and Meghan opting out of traditional ones due to security costs, as noted earlier. The exact duration of the trip is disputed: some reports say it will last four days, while others indicate three days or two-to-three days, affecting understanding of its length and scope.
Reactions from Prince William and royal experts include that Prince William is unhappy about the trip and views it as fraudulent for Harry and Meghan to be treated like visiting royalty, according to a source at the National Examiner. Royal expert Chris Riches believes the trip is poorly timed due to low public opinion of the royal family after Prince Andrew's alleged arrest, according to royal expert Chris Riches. According to Daily Mirror - UK News, Ingrid Seward described King Charles as having 'washed his hands' of Harry and Meghan regarding their trip.
Broader context of Australian public opinion and political factors shows there is public opposition and predictions of a cooler reception compared to their 2018 tour, according to major media reports. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supports removing Prince Andrew from the line of succession, according to Chris Riches. This political backdrop may influence how the visit is perceived amid ongoing royal family controversies.
Implications of the trip for Harry and Meghan's post-royal careers and public image are multifaceted, blending commercial ventures with philanthropic efforts. The visit tests their ability to attract audiences and market their brands independently of royal structures. Success or failure could shape future international engagements and business opportunities, particularly in regions like Australia with historical ties to the monarchy.
Unknowns include the exact dates and detailed itinerary of the Australia trip beyond the known events, as well as the specific security arrangements and who is funding them, given the petitions against taxpayer support. The level of official Australian government or royal family involvement or endorsement of the visit remains unclear, along with the actual ticket sales and attendance figures for Harry's keynote speech and Meghan's retreat. The full financial details, including any payments to Harry and Meghan for their appearances and the overall cost of the trip, have not been disclosed.