More than 35,000 people have signed a petition demanding no taxpayers' money be spent on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's upcoming visit to Australia. The petition was set up by advocacy group Beyond Australia and is titled 'No Taxpayer-Funding or Official Support for Harry and Meghan's Private Visit to Australia'. Critics have been calling for Harry and Meghan to pay for themselves on their quasi-royal trip next month and urged government officials not to contribute.
A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has responded to the petition, stating that the upcoming trip to Australia is being privately funded. The spokesman dismissed the petition as moot, noting the trip is privately funded. The group spearheading the campaign against the visit said on the petition site that the activities are private and commercial and must be treated strictly as a private visit.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are returning to Australia next month. There had been speculation as to whether taxpayers would fund Meghan and Harry's visit, as both the federal and state governments in Australia had previously declined to confirm who would be responsible for their protection. Harry and Meghan previously visited Australia in 2018 when they were both senior working members of the Royal Family.
The latest petition comes after an Australian 'ultimate girls' weekend', where Meghan was billed as the star guest, encountered more trouble in recent days. Last week, it was revealed that the hotel's pool and spa are not finished, and the beach below has been battling effluent 'poop balls' for more than two years. On March 19, a spokesman for the Duchess confirmed she will still be appearing at the inaugural 'Her Best Life Retreat'.
The petition's rapid growth reflects ongoing public debate about the appropriate funding for the Sussexes' activities. The Sussex spokesperson's clarification aims to address concerns about potential taxpayer burden. Beyond Australia's campaign highlights tensions surrounding the couple's post-royal engagements.