Prince Harry and Meghan arrive in Australia for a low-key, privately funded visit

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visited Melbourne, Australia, marking their first trip to the country since their 2018 royal tour. This four-day visit is privately funded, following their 2020 decision to step back from royal duties and become financially independent. Despite flying business class on a commercial flight, there are public concerns about the security costs during their visits to Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney. Unlike their previous tour, this visit is more subdued, with no large public gatherings. The couple’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are not accompanying them. The Sussexes emphasize that their visit focuses on supporting impactful organizations rather than self-promotion, though some criticize it as a publicity move. Media commentator Afua Hagan and expert Giselle Bastin discuss the challenges the couple faces in balancing their royal status with private interests. QUESTION: How might the Sussexes’ approach to balancing their royal status with private interests influence public perceptions of modern royalty?