Outrage is boiling over Down Under as fed-up Australians launch a blistering online petition demanding that **no taxpayer money** be wasted on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s upcoming mid-April visit to the country. The couple, who dramatically stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California to pursue their own “private” ventures, have announced plans for what many are branding a thinly veiled **faux-royal tour** – complete with stops in Sydney and Melbourne for a mix of “private, business, and philanthropic engagements.”
But ordinary Aussies aren’t buying the glossy PR spin. A fiery **Change.org petition** titled “No Taxpayer-Funding or Official Support for Harry & Meghan’s Private Visit to Australia” has gained rapid traction, with signatories insisting the Sussexes should cover every cent of their trip themselves. “Australian taxpayers must not be expected to fund security, logistics or government coordination,” the petition declares, emphasizing that the pair “no longer represent the Crown and now operate private commercial ventures from the United States.”
The backlash couldn’t come at a worse time for the couple. With Australians grappling with skyrocketing cost-of-living pressures, inflation biting hard, and families struggling to make ends meet, the idea of public resources being diverted to accommodate two high-profile ex-royals has sparked widespread fury. Petition supporters argue that Australia should “reserve official support for working royals on official tours” – not for what they call a “private celebrity visit” by a duo who famously chose to exit royal life and its obligations.
Critics point out the stark contrast with the couple’s 2018 tour as fresh-faced working royals, when they were warmly welcomed and taxpayer-funded security and logistics were fully justified. Back then, Harry and Meghan were seen as representing the monarchy and the Commonwealth. Today? They’re private citizens – or, as detractors sneer, “celebrity grifters” chasing relevance through pseudo-royal appearances while cashing in on Netflix deals, podcasts, and brand endorsements.
One passionate signer didn’t mince words: “They chose to leave. The late Queen made it clear – no half in, half out. They chose out, so we’re not under any obligation to invite them, let alone fund them in any way whatsoever.” Another echoed the sentiment: “Hardworking Australians are facing serious pressures – public resources must be used responsibly, not wasted on this!”
The petition highlights a key sticking point: security. As high-profile figures, Harry and Meghan typically require significant protection, often involving police and government resources when traveling abroad. In the UK, post-Megxit agreements made it explicit that they would no longer receive public funding for such trips. Many Aussies believe the same principle should apply here – why should Australian taxpayers pick up the tab for people who voluntarily walked away from the institution that once provided those perks?
Adding fuel to the fire, royal commentators and media outlets have dubbed the visit a “dangerous cosplay royal tour” and a “pathetic pseudo-royal” jaunt, accusing the Sussexes of trying to cling to royal privileges without the responsibilities. Their recent announcements of similar “faux” engagements elsewhere have only intensified the mockery, with some calling them “delusional” for treating private trips like state visits.
Despite the growing uproar, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed the trip will go ahead, promising “further details in due course.” But with the petition gaining momentum and public sentiment turning sharply against any perceived special treatment, the couple may face a far frostier reception than they enjoyed in 2018.
For many Australians, this isn’t just about money – it’s about fairness and respect for the choices people make. Harry and Meghan wanted freedom from royal constraints, and they got it. Now, critics say, they should live with the consequences: no red carpets at taxpayer expense, no official welcomes, and certainly no handouts from the public purse.
As one petition supporter put it bluntly: “If they want to come as tourists or celebrities, fine – but pay your own way. We’re done subsidizing their lifestyle.”
The petition continues to rack up signatures, serving as a loud warning shot to the Sussex camp: Australia may once have rolled out the welcome mat for royals, but for private citizens playing at being royal? The door – and the wallet – is firmly shut. Stay tuned as this brewing storm heads toward mid-April.
