CRAZY – Over 32,000 signatures have been collected demanding that Harry and Meghan pay for their “fake royal” visit to Australia themselves. According to social media, the surge in protests stems from a strange past behavior by Meghan.
A fresh wave of public frustration has erupted in Australia as more than 32,000 people have now signed a petition demanding that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle personally cover the full cost of their upcoming visit to the country next month. The petition, launched by the advocacy group Beyond Australia on the Change.org platform under the title “No Taxpayer-Funding or Official Support for Harry and Meghan’s Private Visit to Australia,” has rapidly gained traction and currently stands at 32,715 signatures. Organizers argue that the trip is entirely private and commercial in nature, and therefore should not receive any public funding for security, logistics, or other arrangements. At a time when many Australian households are struggling with rising grocery prices, fuel costs, mortgage stress, and increasing energy bills, the group insists that taxpayer money must be used responsibly and fairly, without extending special treatment to high-profile visitors who no longer hold official royal roles.
Pictured: Prince Harry and Meghan during their visit to Jordan last February
The petition reflects a growing sentiment among sections of the Australian public that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex should be treated strictly as private citizens during their time Down Under. When the couple last visited Australia in 2018, they were still senior working members of the Royal Family and received full police escorts and accommodation at the Governor-General’s official residence overlooking Sydney Harbour. This time, however, the situation is markedly different. Both federal and state governments had initially remained silent on who would bear the cost of protection, leading to speculation and concern that Australian taxpayers might once again foot the bill. It has since been confirmed that the Sussexes’ trip is being funded privately, yet the petition continues to gather momentum as many Australians remain unconvinced and unwilling to see any indirect public resources allocated to what they view as a quasi-royal tour.
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Social media has played a significant role in amplifying the backlash, with users pointing to what they describe as Meghan’s “strange past behavior” as a key factor driving the surge in signatures. Many posts reference the couple’s previous high-profile visits and commercial ventures, questioning whether the upcoming trip is truly private or another attempt to leverage their royal-adjacent status for personal gain. The timing of the petition has also coincided with controversy surrounding Meghan’s upcoming appearance as the star guest at the “Her Best Life Retreat,” an all-women luxury event dubbed “Meg-stock” taking place in Sydney from April 17 to 19. The three-day retreat, which has already sold out, promises VIP guests front-row seats and a group photo with Meghan at the Intercontinental Hotel overlooking Coogee Beach. However, the venue has faced embarrassing setbacks, including an unfinished infinity pool still under construction, an incomplete spa, bar, and leisure deck, and longstanding issues with foul-smelling “poop balls” — clumps of chemicals, soap scum, cooking oil, hair, and human excrement — washing up on the beach below for more than two years. Despite these problems, a spokesman for the Duchess confirmed on March 19 that she will still attend the event.
A spokesman for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex responded dismissively to the petition, calling it “a moot point” because the trip is privately funded. He suggested the campaign was more about spreading misinformation than genuine concern, and sarcastically noted that the vast majority of Australia’s 26.5 million residents — approximately 99.98 percent — had not signed it, implying they must therefore support taxpayer funding. The response, which accused critics of letting “common sense” get in the way of a good story, has only further inflamed online discussions, with many users interpreting it as arrogant and out of touch with public sentiment.
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The intensity of the reaction appears to stem from a deeper unease about the Sussexes’ post-royal activities and perceived sense of entitlement. Australians remember the warm welcome the couple received during their 2018 tour as working royals, but many now feel that Harry and Meghan are attempting to recreate a similar level of official treatment without the accompanying responsibilities or accountability. The petition explicitly states that the activities planned for the visit are “private and commercial” and must be treated as such. In an era of significant cost-of-living pressures, the idea of any public resources — even indirectly — supporting a celebrity-style tour has struck a nerve with thousands of ordinary citizens who are tightening their own budgets.
Beyond the financial concerns, social media users have also highlighted what they see as inconsistencies in Meghan’s public image and behavior. Posts have resurfaced clips and stories from past events, questioning why a couple that has repeatedly emphasized their desire for privacy continues to organize high-profile paid appearances and commercial retreats. The “Her Best Life Retreat,” with its luxury setting and premium pricing, has become a particular flashpoint, especially given the hotel’s ongoing construction issues and the unpleasant beach conditions that guests are likely to encounter. Critics argue that promoting such an event while expecting a certain level of deference or support from the host country demonstrates a disconnect from the realities faced by everyday Australians.
The petition’s rapid growth to over 32,000 signatures in a relatively short time underscores the strength of feeling on the issue. Organizers from Beyond Australia have framed their campaign as a matter of fairness and fiscal responsibility, urging the government to ensure that no public funds are used for the Sussexes’ security or logistics. While it has been clarified that the visit is privately funded, the continued collection of signatures suggests that many Australians remain skeptical and want clear guarantees that no taxpayer money will be involved in any capacity.
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As Harry and Meghan prepare to arrive in Australia next month, the debate shows no signs of fading. The combination of financial pressures on ordinary citizens, memories of the couple’s previous royal tour, and skepticism about the true nature of this “private” visit has created a perfect storm of public discontent. Whether the petition reaches even higher numbers or ultimately has any practical impact remains to be seen, but the strong response already highlights how divided opinion has become regarding the Sussexes’ post-royal endeavors.
For many Australians, the core issue is simple: if the trip is genuinely private and commercial, then Harry and Meghan should cover every aspect of it themselves, just like any other high-profile visitors. The fact that more than 32,000 people have already signed the petition demanding exactly that speaks volumes about current public sentiment. As the couple’s arrival draws closer and details of their itinerary emerge, the conversation is likely to intensify, with social media continuing to play a central role in shaping and amplifying Australian attitudes toward their former royals.
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In the end, this surge in protest is about more than just one visit. It reflects broader questions about accountability, entitlement, and the appropriate use of public resources in an age when cost-of-living pressures affect millions. Australians have made their voices heard loudly through the petition, and the coming weeks will reveal whether Harry and Meghan’s “private” trip can navigate the wave of skepticism that now surrounds it.
