Meghan Markle posted a video on her social media accounts of her and her husband, Prince Harry’s, four-day trip to Australia. In the clip, the 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex showed how she and her husband visited sick children, met with veterans, and spoke with survivors of terrorist attacks.
Judging by the video, Meghan and Harry also went hiking; in addition, she filmed herself in a room with a window overlooking the sunset and the ocean.
During the visit, the couple visited the Royal Children’s Hospital, as a tribute to Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, who was there in 1983. They also went on a boat ride. Additionally, Meghan spoke at an exclusive women’s retreat, while Harry delivered a speech on mental health at a leaders’ summit, where he stated that royal life “killed his mother.”
Although Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s trip to Australia was officially billed as a “private and charitable” visit, it sparked heated debate in the country and a wave of criticism on social media.
Critics accused the couple of attempting to “cosplay” official state visits while not representing the British Crown. An online petition against the use of taxpayer money also appeared, gathering about 43,000 signatures: although the Sussexes paid for the trip themselves, the costs of additional police and their security during public events sparked discontent among residents.
Some have called Meghan and Harry’s trip a “money-making tour.” The prices for events featuring Markle sparked particular outrage: tickets for her appearance, which included the opportunity to take a photo with her, cost up to $3,000.
Meghan was also accused again of trying to copy Princess Diana’s style and mannerisms (for example, during a visit to a children’s hospital), calling it a “cheap imitation.” She has also been harshly criticized for saying that she is “the most hounded person in the world.”
Online, this was deemed inappropriate, especially against the backdrop of meetings with terror attack survivors and sick children. Users write that she is “pulling the blanket” over her personal problems. Finally, social media users are dissatisfied with the couple’s “show” charity: many commentators called their trip a PR stunt, pointing out that cameras followed the couple almost everywhere, gathering content for future projects.
Prince Harry, who is one of the heirs to the British throne, and former Hollywood actress Meghan Markle married in 2018. They have two children—a son, Archie, and a daughter, Lilibet. In 2020, amid a conflict with the royal family, the couple stepped down from their royal duties and left the UK. They settled in the US and are trying to develop their own projects: they are collaborating with Netflix and promoting Meghan’s lifestyle brand. However, some of their ventures have failed, and they are criticized for attempting to “monetize their titles” and for hypocrisy.
