A public campaign urging the Australian government to withhold taxpayer funding from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s upcoming visit has gathered significant momentum, with more than 32,000 people signing an online petition in a matter of days.
The Change.org petition, organised by advocacy group Beyond Australia, calls on federal and state authorities to treat the couple’s trip as a purely private affair — meaning Harry and Meghan would bear the costs of their own security and logistical arrangements.
Neither the Australian federal government nor state administrations have confirmed who would cover those costs. Both have previously declined to clarify the matter publicly.
Beyond Australia argued that, given the commercial nature of the visit, public money should not be involved. “The activities are private and commercial and must be treated strictly as a private visit,” the group stated, adding that Australians are currently contending with rising grocery bills, fuel costs, mortgage pressures and increasing energy prices.
The couple’s forthcoming trip marks their first return to Australia since 2018, when they were still senior working members of the Royal Family. On that occasion, they received a full police escort and stayed at the Governor-General’s official Sydney residence.
This time, Meghan, 44, is scheduled to appear as the headline guest at an invitation-only women’s retreat in Sydney between 17 and 19 April. The three-day event, which has sold out, is expected to welcome around 300 attendees, with VIP ticket holders offered a group photograph with the Duchess at a gala dinner.
The retreat is being held at a Coogee beachfront hotel that is still completing renovation works, including an infinity pool, spa, bar and leisure deck — all due to be finished ahead of the event. A spokesperson for Meghan confirmed on 19 March that she intends to attend regardless.
