Meghan and Harry’s quasi-royal tour of Australia under fire over ‘unacceptable’ cost to taxpayer as couple visit homeless shelter and children’s hospital before money-spinning commercial engagements

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s four-day semi-royal tour of Australia continues with a trip to a children’s hospital to meet cancer patients before Meghan serves meals at a homeless shelter.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they were happy to be Down Under as they stepped off a business class Qantas flight from Los Angeles early on Tuesday, but Lilibet and Archie stayed at home.

A huge crowd gathered at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital for Harry and Meghan’s first official event today. But one parent there admitted: ‘I didn’t even know they were coming, so I’m wondering why they’re actually here.’

The couple welcomed the crowd with excitement, then visited the Adolescent Oncology and Rehabilitation service and participated in a garden therapy session. A group of approximately 70 staff, parents and young patients waited in the hospital foyer for the couple.

In a series of royal-style events, Meghan then made a solo visit to a nearby homeless and domestic violence shelter, where she delivered meals to residents.

And the Sussexes went to the National Veterans Art Museum together. Asked if he had a message for the Australian public, Harry said it was ‘wonderful’ to be there and added: ‘Thank you for having us back.’

Harry and Meghan’s last visit to Australia was an official royal tour shortly after their wedding in 2018.

The couple insist their 2026 trip is ‘privately funded’ but there is some unease as Australian taxpayers foot the bill for some of the police security. Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition demanding the Sussexes cover all their expenses.

Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said today: ‘Victoria Police is there to ensure the safety and security of Victorians. Therefore, any suggestion that officers would be suspended to provide security and protection for Harry and Meghan’s visit is completely unacceptable.’

Libertarian MP David Limbrick added: ‘If people want to spend thousands of dollars on former royals that’s fine. But Victorian taxpayers must not fall into the trap of keeping millionaires safe.’

The four-day trip will also see Harry and Meghan attend an Invictus Australia event in Sydney, before Meghan stars at her ‘Best Life’ retreat at nearby Coogee Beach.

Weekend tickets cost up to AUD3,199 (£1,400) and the chance to take photos with and ask questions of the Duchess at a gala dinner at a 5-star hotel. Meghan’s fee has been described as ‘fat’ and is apparently around $250,000.

Harry and Meghan greet crowds during their visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne

The Duchess knelt as flowers were handed to her by a young patient who prepared a card for her

Meghan excitedly waved to people above her in the hospital courtyard

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal-like tour of Australia asks ‘Why are they here, actually?’ continues to the astonishment of local people who ask the question.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, greet children during their visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne

The couple was greeted by a large group when they arrived at the hotel.

Following a hospital visit, the Duchess of Sussex serves lunch to a resident during a visit to McAuley Women’s Community Services

Harry said it was ‘wonderful’ to be in Australia and added: ‘Thanks for bringing us back.’

The couple’s itinerary will include charity and business events in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.

It looks like there won’t be any marches to meet the public.

It is not known how much Prince Harry and Meghan are paid for their business events. But when they landed in town, Melburnian Andrew Bridge said today the couple’s trip Down Under was clearly for “self-promotion” purposes.

After arriving in Australia this morning, the couple spoke to children and posed for photos outside the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, to the surprise of locals.

Pina Roberts, one of the parents, told the Daily Mail: ‘I just got here and asked what was going on.’ Anything that recognizes us (hospital patients and their parents) is a good thing.

‘But I didn’t even know they were coming, so I used to wonder why they were actually here.’

Patient four-year-old Lily held up a hand-drawn sign that read ‘Welcome Harry and Meghan’. When they arrived, he presented the duchess with a flower.

After the gifts were presented to her, Meghan hugged Lily and told her: ‘Oh my God, this is so sweet. I love it.’

After being shown Lily’s sign, Harry said: ‘Nice to meet you, Lily. This is very nice. How long did it take?’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took part in a garden therapy session at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, smelling plants and flowers with patients.

Asked if he’d like to take home some gum trees, Harry, wearing a navy blue jacket, white shirt and metal bracelets, joked: ‘I would, but I think I’d probably get arrested at some point.’

Meghan, wearing a navy sleeveless Karen Gee dress, asked patients: ‘Do you find that different stories and memories are emerging that you weren’t expecting?’

The couple visited the hospital’s wards and met with patients with eating disorders.

Following her visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital, the Duchess of Sussex visited a women’s shelter in Melbourne.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, meet patient Hamish and family members in the Adolescent Oncology and Rehabilitation ward

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Melbourne early Tuesday on a business class flight from Los Angeles ahead of a four-day business trip.

The couple met with young patients at the event

A large crowd greeted them in the atrium

Both the Duke and Duchess looked pleased to be there

Harry had some fun with a young boy who looked equally excited to see the royal court.

Harry plays to crowds during visit to Melbourne

Meghan wore an apron and served frittatas to people at the center, run by McAuley Women’s Community Services, which supports women and children experiencing domestic violence, homelessness and related challenges.

After serving a few people, the duchess looked at the press and other people gathered in the center and asked with a smile: ‘Is anyone else hungry?’ he asked.

Meghan then sat at a table and joined people eating, telling them: ‘We landed here this morning, so my jet lag hasn’t fully set in yet.’

The center provides 24-hour shelter, shelter services and long-term housing in crisis situations, as well as programs focusing on recovery, well-being and independence.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attends a therapy session with teenage patients in the Kelpie garden while visiting the Royal Children’s Hospital

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Australian National Veterans Art Museum

After changing clothes, the couple spoke to reporters at the veterans event.

The Duke of Sussex hugged Christina Parkes, an academic at the University of Melbourne, as he greeted the crowd at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Ms Parkes, whose 13-year-old daughter Adelaide is ill in hospital, said it “meant so much” for the couple to visit Australia.

Speaking before Harry and Meghan arrived, Ms Parkes told the Press Association: ‘I was absolutely delighted to see the couple. Harry’s grandmother actually opened the hospital and her portrait and that of his grandfather are in the corridor.’

Asked what he would tell the couple, he said: ‘Welcome to Australia, we hope they have a good time here.

‘Thank you for taking the time to visit the hospital and see the work the doctors and nurses do.

‘I can’t overstate how important the work they do at the children’s hospital is because without them my daughter wouldn’t be here.’