Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced sharp criticism after their recent visit to Australia was labeled a "phony" royal tour [1, 3].
The backlash highlights the ongoing tension regarding the couple's use of royal titles while remaining distanced from official duties. Critics argue that staging a trip that mimics a royal engagement is an attempt to exploit their status without the accompanying responsibilities.
The couple visited multiple locations, including Melbourne and Canberra [4, 5]. The Australian visit lasted four days [5]. During the trip, the couple engaged in various activities that some observers described as a "faux" royal tour [1, 3].
Sky News Australia host Danica De Giorgio was among the most vocal critics of the visit. De Giorgio targeted the Duke of Sussex during her commentary on the trip [1, 2].
"Harry is, after all, just Meghan’s spare handbag," De Giorgio said [1].
Other critics suggested the tour was a staged effort rather than a genuine diplomatic or royal engagement [2, 4]. Some reports indicated that the nature of the visit could be viewed as disrespectful to the legacy of Queen Elizabeth [5].
The tour has been described as divisive, with some viewing the couple's presence as a failure in terms of public reception [4]. The primary criticism centers on the perceived contradiction of the couple seeking the prestige of royalty while operating as private citizens [2, 4].
“"Harry is, after all, just Meghan’s spare handbag."”
The reaction to this visit underscores the difficulty the Duke and Duchess of Sussex face in defining their public roles. By mimicking the structure of a royal tour without official sanction, the couple risks alienating both the monarchy and the public, who may perceive the effort as an appropriation of royal prestige for personal branding.
