OPINION – – When it comes to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, you either love them or hate them.
But there is a group in the middle – the curious – who made sure Prince Harry and Meghan’s controversial return to Australia this week had scenes of adoration and joy amid claims they were here purely for self-promotion.
The curious were the ones who waited at the Sydney Opera House hoping for a glimpse of the couple when word got out that they would soon arrive for a boat trip.
Prince Harry and Meghan have carried out a royal visit on their own terms, blending commercial with charity. (Getty)
So, too, were those at Bondi Beach who happened to coincide their visit with Harry and Meghan’s and stuck around to watch the spectacle unfold.
There were similar scenes in Melbourne when the Sussexes walked along the Yarra River – most people had no idea they were going to be there but the crowds quickly grew once word spread.
And scenes from the couple’s first engagement, at the Royal Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, drew enormous interest from staff, patients and their families, all crowding into the foyer or watching from the multiple levels above.
The official itinerary had no walkabouts or opportunities for the public to see the couple as that would have required an enormous security operation involving taxpayer-funded police, like their visit in 2018.
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Prince Harry and Meghan are free from the restrictions that come with royal life. (WireImage)
But Harry and Meghan made the most of their fleeting brushes with the public when they were coming and going throughout the week: shaking hands, hugging, kisses, selfies and lots of smiles.
Their impromptu meet and greet outside the Opera House yesterday was a last-minute decision because a moderate-sized group of people had converged behind the security barriers behind set up ahead of their Invictus Games boat ride on the harbour.
Prince Harry and Meghan’s return to Australia was an overwhelming success to those watching on. And it might just have the royal family slightly worried about what comes next.
The couple visited Melbourne and Sydney across four days, with Prince Harry making a fleeting stop in Canberra. (Getty)
The Sussexes drew in the crowds, they did the charity engagements and they also made a lot of money.
This was a commercial visit for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with a handful of opportunities thrown in for Harry and Meghan to highlight their charitable causes.
There was also a highly-emotional visit to meet survivors of the Bondi Beach terror attack and the emergency services involved in the operation.
Polarising but adored, Harry and Meghan have shown the Windsors what could have been during non-royal tour on their terms.
The couple did an impromptu walkabout at the Sydney Opera House on Friday. (Getty)
Six years ago they asked Queen Elizabeth II for a half-in, half-out approach when trying to leave the royal family to become financially independent.
The monarch rejected the model and Prince Harry and Meghan left. They would no longer represent the royal family but they would be able to command a hefty fee by capitalising on their high-profiles as former working royals.
Fast forward to now and this Australian visit, across four days, had all the hallmarks of a royal tour. But the Sussex’ team had stressed that this was a private visit, one that was privately funded because Prince Harry and Meghan were now private individuals.
For a couple who used privacy as one of their big reasons for leaving the royal family, that concern has been thrown out for this new era in self-promotion, money-making and service.
Prince Harry and Meghan are still serving, but in their own way. And they are still ticking all the boxes of what royals would usually do on a tour like this, but they are picking and choosing the agenda to suit their own.
Royal visits are typically done at the request of the government. In the British royal family’s case, the UK government would be heavily involved in the itinerary and planning, in consultation with the Australian government who would have extended an official invitation for the royals to come.
Prince Harry and Meghan had no such concerns this time around.
They had free reign to curate a tour that would align with their personal beliefs and provide ample commercial opportunities.
The duchess was paid a hefty sum to headline a women’s only event in Coogee. (Instagram/Her Best Life)
They have managed to achieve their half-in, half-out approach.
One can only imagine what King Charles and Prince William would make of it all.
While the late queen forbade Harry and Meghan from using their former Sussex Royal name in any commercial endeavours, they have been free to use their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.
Following multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify and others, Harry and Meghan have found commercial success outside of the royal family.
Meghan has been selling her outfits via a shopping platform. (OneOff)
Meghan headlined a women’s only retreat on Friday night, with a VIP ticket costing $3199 and included a group photo.
The duchess’ appearance fee is unknown but the event is understood to have allowed the couple to travel to Australia, and pay for their team of nine, later adding various charitable endeavours to their program.
Meghan’s fashion is also bringing in money. Every outfit worn in Australia – included during her charity events – has quickly been added to a shopping platform the duchess has invested in.
On the OnOff site, she is promoted as ‘Meghan’ and underneath her name is ‘Duchess of Sussex’.
All nine looks from her Australian tour are included with links to directly buy the clothes, shoes and jewellery worn by Meghan.
One is the $1250 navy Karen Gee ‘Priscilla’ dress worn by the duchess to the Children’s Hospital on Tuesday in what was her first appearance in Australia for this tour.
The designer told nine.com.au there was “always a noticeable level of global attention” when Meghan wears the brand.
Meghan has chosen a number of Australian brands during the visit, including this Karen Gee dress. (Getty)
“Which we’re incredibly appreciative of,” she added.
“Moments like this bring many new eyes to the brand, and naturally there is increased interest”.
The duchess wore Karen Gee on day one of her 2018 tour with Prince Harry, a dress made to accommodate her pregnancy.
“It’s incredibly meaningful…so to see her return and choose Karen Gee again feels very special. There’s a quiet trust in that decision.”
All of Meghan’s clothing and accessories were quickly added to a shopping platform she has invested in. (Getty)
Of Meghan’s status as a global fashion icon, Gee said: “There’s an ease to the way she dresses”.
“It’s intentional without feeling overworked.”
Meghan wore a number of other Australian brands including Scanlan Theodore, Matteau, Rolla’s, Camilla and Marc. She re-wore her Paspaley pearl earrings for the first time since the 2018 visit.
The commercialisation of Meghan’s wardrobe is something she could not have done via such a platform had she still been a working member of the royal family.
Meghan and Harry’s high-profile visit was criticised but was largely a success. (Getty)
While outfits worn by many working royals, including the Princess of Wales, often bring in huge profits for brands when they sell out, the royals themselves don’t directly benefit.
By making money through a percentage of sales, Meghan’s investment in the shopping platform is just another example of her new post-royal life as an influencer.
Meghan’s turn as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia is believed to have been in support of her lifestyle brand As ever which sells jams, flower sprinkles, honey, shortbread mixes and wine.
The brand is expected to be launched in Australia soon, the first market outside of the US.
In 2018, Meghan reportedly told her staff “I can’t believe I’m not getting paid for this”, bewildered about being paraded in front of the public with no financial reward.
This time, she’s earned a hefty sum.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have now left Australia and they are rumoured to be visiting the UK later this year.
Prince Harry is due to launch the one-year countdown for the Invictus Games, to be held in Birmingham in 2027.
He’s hoping to take Meghan, and their two children, if security issues can be sorted out.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in Sydney for the final day of their tour. (Getty)
They’ve proven that a non-royal tour blending commercial and charity endeavours can work.
But will they be allowed to do it again in the UK?
Or perhaps Canada, which remains an untapped market for Prince Harry and Meghan, who briefly lived in the Commonwealth country after leaving the UK.
A look back at Prince Harry and Meghan’s royal tours as Duke and Duchess of Sussex
New Zealand is another option for the couple, if they are wanting to stick to countries with a long and deep connection to the royal family.
Prince Harry and Meghan have defied their critics by carrying out a successful visit that has benefited them financially but has also helped their various charitable causes.
It was a tour on their terms. And there’s nothing the royal family can really do about it.
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