As Harry and Meghan carry out their engagements across Australia, the couple have come under intense scrutiny over what many are describing as a ‘faux royal’ tour, despite their well-publicised departure from the Royal Family.
The four-day visit is packed with engagements reflecting their core passions, shining a spotlight on the veteran community, mental health, sport and youth empowerment.
Stops were scheduled in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, and the arrival of the Duke and Duchess has prompted a divided reaction from Australians, with some branding the couple ‘irrelevant’ while others extended a warm welcome to the former royals.
The pair have already paid a visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital, and Harry embarked on solo outings on Wednesday to the Australian War Memorial, also opening up about his personal struggles and therapy during a talk with men’s mental health charity Movember.
Yet despite this bearing no official royal status, critics have been swift to draw comparisons, with royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams asserting “they were obviously positioning themselves as heirs”.
Fitzwilliams added: “It has never been disputed that when Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals after wanting to be ‘half in half out’ it was a blow to the contemporary image of the institution.
“This subsequently and infamously degenerated into a deep and lasting rift.
“Watching them at carefully pre-planned events on their “faux royal” tour of Oz, you can, however, see the appeal.” On Tuesday, the couple visited youngsters and posed for photographs at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, in a moment that parents described as bringing much-needed ‘smiles’ to their children’s faces.
Yet, despite the evident delight amongst those present, these interactions have been regarded as ‘hypocritical’.
Fitzwilliams said: “You can also see the carefully planned choreography behind the charming images at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
“The visit was carefully planned to make them successors to a royal tradition, Queen Elizabeth had opened it in 1963 and Harry’s parents visited in their 1985 tour.
“The images of them with the children were touching and heartwarming. To pretend that they were ‘call me Meg’ non-royals was totally hypocritical, they were obviously positioning themselves as heirs to a royal tradition.
“Had they simply stepped back, but been positive about the institution, a way might have subsequent to the Sandringham Agreement, have been found for them to use their undoubted talents when pressing the flesh.
“Meghan’s visit to a woman’s refuge was another example.”
On the second day of the tour, Harry undertook solo engagements, most notably opening up about the challenges of early fatherhood during his visit to a Melbourne football club, before heading to Canberra to participate in war memorial ceremonies.
Royal expert Fitzwilliams said: “Harry’s engagements to on Day 2 saw him in his element.
“His Invictus links do give him special status when dealing with the military, which has meant so much to him.
“When he said he needed to ‘deal with stuff from my past’ and ‘cleanse’ himself, it almost certainly resonated with those he was with, it is the way he has done this that has caused the breach with his family.
“The Sussexes relentless positivity in their public appearances in charitable events is so at odds with their actual private behaviour.
“Meghan personifies it in her public appearances, yet only has close relations with her mother and is estranged from the rest of both sides of her family and so appears ruthless and artificial.
“The tour appears to be progressing as the Sussexes had hoped so far, despite media scepticism and tickets are reportedly still available if you feel like being cleansed during a ‘girls wellness weekend’ with Meghan or hear Harry speak on mental health!”