Meghan Markle returned from Australia wearing Princess Diana’s Cartier gold watch, a deliberate echo of the late princess’s legacy as she and Prince Harry concluded their four-day visit with a walk along Bondi Beach.
The couple spent their final day in Sydney meeting survivors of the December 2023 Bondi Beach attack, where two gunmen killed 15 people. Meghan was seen visibly moved as survivors recounted their experiences, including one man who described being wounded while shielding his children.
Upon their return to Montecito, Harry and Meghan were greeted at home with a banner reading “welkom thuis” and their dog rushing inside. Meghan shared a video of Australian souvenirs and treats laid out on a table—candy, picture books, stickers, coloring books, and handwritten cards—intended for their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Their Australian itinerary blended philanthropy with private engagements: visits to the Royal Children’s Hospital, the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum, McAuley Community Services for Women, Movember headquarters, and an Invictus Australia reception. They also participated in a Scar Tree Walk and a mental health event, while Meghan attended a “Her Best Life” retreat in Sydney where tickets cost $2,699 per person, with an additional $3,199 for a photo with her.
According to Ted Jenkin of Exit Wealth Advisors, speaking to Page Six, the tour could have generated $10 million or more through public aggregation, exclusive access, and brand leverage. Jenkin noted that each public appearance by the couple typically yields a significant income stream, especially since they no longer receive funding from the royal household after stepping back from royal duties and relocating to the United States.
Criticism has emerged over the commercial aspects of the trip, but supporters emphasize that the Sussexes must now earn their own income. This marks a shift from their 2018 Australia tour, when they were still working royals and greeted by tens of thousands across a nine-day visit—this time, public turnout was minimal, with many Australians unaware or uninterested in their presence.
Why did Harry and Meghan choose to wear Princess Diana’s jewelry during the Bondi Beach visit?
Meghan wore Princess Diana’s Cartier gold watch and a ring featuring both her and Harry’s zodiac signs as a personal tribute during emotionally charged meetings with attack survivors, signaling continuity with Diana’s humanitarian legacy.
What was the public reaction to Harry and Meghan’s Australia tour compared to their 2018 visit?
Unlike their 2018 tour, which drew large crowds nationwide, this visit saw minimal public engagement, with many Australians unaware or uninterested, reflecting their changed status as private individuals rather than working royals.
How much could the Sussexes have earned from their Australia tour, and through what means?
According to wealth advisor Ted Jenkin, the tour could have generated $10 million or more via public aggregation, exclusive access, and brand partnerships, including high-ticket events like Meghan’s “Her Best Life” retreat.