A growing number of Australians are calling for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to cover the cost of their upcoming trip, as a public petition demanding no taxpayer support rapidly gains traction.
The online campaign, launched by advocacy group Beyond Australia, urges authorities to treat the Sussexes’ visit strictly as a private matter — meaning no taxpayer support for security, logistics, or official arrangements. Within a short time, the petition on Change.org has gathered more than 32,000 signatures, reflecting growing frustration among locals.
Supporters of the petition argue that with rising living costs across the country — from groceries and fuel to mortgage pressures and energy bills — public funds should not be allocated to high-profile individuals on what they describe as a “commercial and private” trip.
The debate intensified amid uncertainty over who would cover the couple’s security expenses, as both federal and state officials initially declined to clarify the matter. It is now understood that the visit will be privately financed.
Harry and Meghan are expected to travel to Australia next month, returning for the first time since their 2018 tour as senior royals. This visit has drawn attention due to renewed public focus on funding and arrangements, in contrast to their last state-supported visit.
Meghan’s upcoming appearance at a women’s retreat in Sydney is part of the trip that campaigners argue should remain fully private, underscoring their demand for no public funding or official recognition of the visit.
Details about the retreat, such as construction at the venue and environmental issues, have sparked criticism. However, these concerns remain secondary to the primary public debate on who should pay for the Sussexes’ visit.
Despite the controversy, a spokesperson for the Sussexes dismissed the petition as misguided, emphasising that the trip is privately funded and questioning the campaign’s purpose.
