A shocking petition is highlighting mixed reactions in Australia ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s upcoming visit.
With thousands reportedly opposing taxpayer support for their trip, the royal couple is still continuing with their plans for appearances in Sydney and Melbourne.
At the same time, Harry and Meghan are pushing back against claims of tension with Netflix, insisting their partnership remains strong despite reports suggesting otherwise.
Petition Opposes Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Australia Visit
According to Sky News Australia, a growing online petition is giving insight into how some Australians feel about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ahead of their upcoming visit.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to travel to Sydney and Melbourne in April for what’s being described as a mix of “private, business, and philanthropic engagements,” their first trip to Australia since 2018. But the reception may not be as warm as before.
Royal commentator Tom Sykes has suggested the couple should brace themselves for a less enthusiastic welcome, noting they are no longer guaranteed the public support they once enjoyed.
That sentiment appears to be echoed in a petition circulating on Change.org, which has already attracted over 10,000 verified signatures.
The campaign argues that Australian taxpayers should not be responsible for covering any costs associated with the couple’s visit, including “security, logistics, or government coordination,” since they are no longer working royals.
The petition emphasized that “Harry and Meghan no longer represent the Crown and now operate private commercial ventures from the United States.”
As such, it insists their visit should be treated strictly as a private one, even if it includes media appearances, business ventures, and public events.
Petition Urges No Taxpayer Funding For The Royal Couple’s Visit Due To Cost Of Living In Australia
The petition also points to ongoing cost-of-living challenges in Australia, arguing that “public resources must be used responsibly.”
According to the petition, providing official support would place an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers.
The message is made especially clear in its closing statement, which stresses that “taxpayers should not fund a private celebrity visit.”
The campaign is accompanied by an image of the couple alongside the Australian flag, paired with the caption: “We don’t want you here.”
About Prince Harry And Meghan’s Trip And The Duchess’s Special Women’s Retreat
Despite the backlash, Meghan is still scheduled to headline a high-profile women’s retreat in Sydney.
Organized by events company Besties, founded by Jackie ‘O’ Henderson and Gemma O’Neill, the three-day “Her Best Life Retreat” will take place at the InterContinental Sydney Coogee.
Tickets are priced at $3,000 and include a gala dinner featuring an in-person conversation with Meghan, along with networking sessions, “laughter and unforgettable experiences.”
In addition to Sydney, the couple is also expected to spend time in Melbourne. During the visit, Harry will appear as a keynote speaker at the InterEdge Summit, an event focused on fostering healthier and more productive workplace environments through discussions with leaders and industry experts.
The Duke And Duchess Denied A Bombshell Report About Their Relationship With Netflix
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan are also addressing speculation about tension in their professional relationship with Netflix.
A spokesperson for the couple has pushed back against claims made in a report by Variety, which suggested the streaming giant had been caught off guard by some of their independent ventures.
Among the concerns raised was their high-profile 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, conducted while they were working on their docuseries, “Harry & Meghan.”
Although the interview did not breach any contractual terms, the report alleged that Netflix had concerns about “poor communication,” particularly in relation to activities involving their production company, Archewell.
The couple’s representative, however, firmly rejected that narrative, calling claims that Netflix was unaware of the interview “categorically false” and noting that legal teams on both sides were involved throughout the process, standard practice for major deals in Hollywood.
Netflix Slams Claims Of A Rift With Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Despite Reports Of Cooling Partnership
The report also comes shortly after Netflix stepped back from its involvement with Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever.
While the streamer had supported the brand ahead of its launch and collaborated with Meghan on “With Love, Meghan,” a spokesperson confirmed the Duchess will now continue to grow the venture “independently.”
At the time, Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria, expressed confidence in the partnership, highlighting the global reach and impact of Harry and Meghan’s storytelling through Archewell Productions.
Still, according to Variety, the relationship may have cooled since the pair signed their multi-year deal in 2020. While “Harry & Meghan” delivered strong viewership, surpassing 81 million hours watched within days of its release, other projects, including “With Love, Meghan,” reportedly underperformed.
This has led to internal discussions about whether ventures like e-commerce are the right long-term direction for the collaboration.
Even so, Netflix has dismissed suggestions of a breakdown in the partnership. A spokesperson described claims that executives, including co-CEO Ted Sarandos, have lost confidence in the Sussexes as “absolutely inaccurate.”
“Archewell has been a thoughtful and collaborative partner,“ Bajaria said, “and we’ve really enjoyed working with Harry and Meghan. They’re deeply engaged in the storytelling process and bring a unique, global perspective that aligns with the kinds of impactful projects our members respond to.”