The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have finished their brisk four-day visit to the east coast of Australia. With an itinerary of Indigenous culture, Australian sport, multiple good causes and a trip to the national war memorial, it had all the hallmarks of a traditional royal tour. But Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, no longer working royals, were here in a private capacity.
When they last visited in 2018 - then still active members of the Royal Family - tens of thousands of people greeted them on a nine-day tour across Australia. This time was different. Most Australians the BBC spoke to were either unaware or uninterested in the couple's visit. There has been some backlash too, after it emerged Australian taxpayers may be saddled with some of the security costs for their public events.
If they think it's gone well, it's because nothing has gone wrong, says Giselle Bastin, an associate professor at Flinders University with a research interest in Australia's relationship with the monarchy. They didn't turn up at great big advertised opportunities to see them, at least not in the form of walkabouts... It has been very carefully controlled so that they just sort of spontaneously appear at places.
That's not to say Harry and Meghan haven't been in their element during encounters, high-fiving fans and taking selfies. Highlights included Harry meeting Michelle Haywood beneath the sails of the Sydney Opera House, where she presented him with a photo of her late mother, a servicewoman he had met during a previous visit.
Meghan also showcased her warmth, whether listening to survivors of the Bondi Beach attack or sharing a moment with a young boy about her children's favorite Australian book. The couple's communication emphasized 'connection,' appearing frequently in their press releases.
Despite the notable absence of traditional royal engagements, the couple's visit did include a focus on mental health issues and discussions on the impacts of social media. Meghan disclosed she has been the most trolled person in the world for the past decade during a dialogue with young advocates.
However, critics have pointed to their commercial interests, especially in light of their recent endeavors after ending their Spotify and Netflix agreements. Harry's paid speech at a mental health summit and Meghan's participation in a luxury retreat raised eyebrows amid public concerns of the costs associated with their visit.
Despite mixed reactions and criticisms, support for Harry and Meghan persists among their fans, emphasizing the positive impact of their charity work and voicing their continued affection for the couple. Public sentiment remains polarizing, but many individuals welcome the Sussexes with open arms, viewing their visits through a charitable lens.
