Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are touring Australia, visiting key cities including Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney. Meghan recently served as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia, drawing significant attention during the appearance.
Royal Experts Question the Tour’s Intentions
Former royal editor Charlie Rae describes the visit as embarrassing and insists it does not qualify as a royal tour. He argues that the couple, now private citizens, appears focused on generating income through their former royal associations.
Rae states: “It is embarrassing and I wish people would stop referring to it as a royal tour. It’s not a royal tour – it’s a tour by Hinge and Bracket by people who are just there to make money.”
He emphasizes fairness in their pursuits, adding: “I’ve said to you before, I’ve got no problem with them making money, none whatsoever. Make as much as you want. But stop using your royal links and your royal titles to get that money.”
Rae critiques the MasterChef Australia moment, noting: “We saw that clip from MasterChef Australia, where that presenter seemed to be floating on air and going doolally, ‘Oh, it’s Meghan, Duchess of Sussex!’ And you just think, ‘Oh, give us a break’.” He quipped: “I don’t know what week this is on MasterChef Australia – is it jam week?”
Additional Criticisms Emerge
TalkTV host Kevin O’Sullivan echoes the sentiment, calling it a case of “two private citizens pretending to stage a royal tour.” He references Telegraph columnist Alison Pearson’s column, which urges: “To Harry and Meghan – stop pretending to be royal, it’s embarrassing.” O’Sullivan adds a light-hearted jab: “It’s dry sprinkled flower week, so they got Meghan in.”
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield raises concerns about specific engagements, pointing to a visit at a venue linked to Queen Elizabeth II, such as the royal hospital. She states: “These two are not working royals and yet they pursued an appearance at a venue that has history with Queen Elizabeth II. That was intentional, that royal hospital.”
Schofield further contends: “I think there is something very sinister about using dying children and the homeless as props to try to salvage what’s left of your brand.”
