Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s announcement of their upcoming trip to Australia comes after the country’s Prime Minister previously admitted he was “hopeful” for a future visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
On Sunday, a Sussex spokesman confirmed to GB News: “Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex will visit Australia in mid-April to take part in a number of private, business, and philanthropic engagements. Further details will be shared in due course.”
However, last September, after meeting King Charles at Balmoral, Australia’s Prime Minister was asked if there were any upcoming plans for Prince William and Catherine to tour the country.
At the time, Anthony Albanese clarified: “I’m certainly hoping there will be one, there’s a standing invitation that the Royal Family are always welcome in Australia.
Meghan and Harry announcement follows Australian Prime Minister’s admission about Catherine and William
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“It was wonderful to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla to Australia recently; they had a very successful visit, and His Majesty is very engaged. I hope that the Prince and Princess of Wales are able to visit as well, and we are hopeful that might occur in the coming period.”
At the time, speculation suggested Prince William and Catherine might tour Australia in July or August 2026, though this now appears unlikely.
An insider told the Mail: “Either way, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are going to get there first.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales have not visited Australia since 2014, who travelled Down Under with their eldest son, Prince George, who was then just eight months old.
King Charles and Anthony Albanese pictured in September 2025
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will subsequently be making their first return to the country since their 2018 wedding tour.
Some commentators have claimed the couple may receive a cooler reception than they experienced eight years ago.
Their 2018 tour proved remarkably successful, with enormous crowds gathering to welcome the newlyweds as Meghan announced her pregnancy with Prince Archie.
Harry later reflected that he could not imagine a better location to share news of their first child with the world.
Prince William, Catherine and Prince George in Australia in 2014
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But the landscape has shifted since then, with Meghan and Harry both stepping down as working royals in 2020.
An insider continued to the publication: “I think there will be plenty of monarchists and republicans who won’t welcome Harry and Meghan’s visit.
“Any ‘royal’ visit, even by members of the family who no longer represent the King, will inevitably create debate about the monarchy.”
The visit is expected to serve as a focal point for Australia’s ongoing constitutional debate about whether King Charles III should remain head of state.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their pregnancy in Australia in 2018
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Elsewhere, it was reported by ITV that the Duchess of Sussex would promote her As Ever lifestyle brand during her trip.
However, a spokesman clarified to GB News: “This is speculation. No decisions have been made about when or where international expansion might take place.
“Entering new markets is a considered process, but it’s something the brand is excited to explore as it continues to grow in this next phase. Watch this space.”
GB News understands the couple’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will remain in the United States for the trip due to their schooling.