Representatives for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have responded to petition about their upcoming Australian visit that’s gone viral.
Nearly 36,000 people signed the Change.org campaign calling for no taxpayer funds to be used for their April trip Down Under.
Signatories were insistent that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would have to foot the bill themselves for “security, logistics or government coordination”.
But a spokesperson for the pair quickly hit back.
“The trip is being funded privately, so I’m not sure what this petition hopes to achieve,” the statement said.
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Prince Harry and Meghan stepped away from royal duties in 2020 and have lived in the United States ever since.
Their trip is considered “private” and will be a mix of business events, media appearances, or private engagements.
The Change.org petition was started by Beyond Australia, who tried to argue that the “security and coordination would place a cost on Australian taxpayers”, and “official support should be reserved for formal state or royal duties”.
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But the Duke and Duchess have insisted that when engaging in private visits of any nature, they pay all the associated costs.
“All travel arrangements undertaken by The Duke and Duchess in their private time have always been and will continue to be paid for privately,” a statement on their shared website states.
“With their transition to becoming members of the Royal Family with financial independence this will continue to be the case.
“Wherever possible and unless advised otherwise on security grounds, their logistical arrangements are undertaken via commercial air carriers, local trains and fuel-efficient vehicles, be it for official or personal travel.”
What are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s plans for Australia visit?
It’s unclear how long the couple is planned to be in Australia for, but they could face an icy reception when they land.
A poll of more than 5,800 Yahoo Lifestyle readers found 95 per cent were not excited for their arrival.
The full details of their trip are set to be released in due course, but here’s what we know so far.
Meghan Markle is set to appear at a ticketed Sydney event hosted by the Her Best Life podcast.
The weekend event is taking place from April 17–19 at the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, with tickets ranging from $2,699 to $3,199 per person.
Only 300 people will be able to attend.
Prince Harry, meanwhile, will be a keynote speaker at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit in Melbourne.
The event will take place from April 15 to 16, and will focus on Australia’s “escalating mental health crisis in the workplace”.
The summit will bring together leaders, policymakers, practitioners and advocates to explore ways of creating “psychologically safe, mentally healthy and high-performing workplaces”.
The couple last visited Australia in 2018 for their first major overseas tour as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
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