Meghan Markle Accused of Breaking Promise to Late Queen Over Australia Trip
Royal author Tom Bower has launched a scathing attack on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, claiming Meghan Markle is breaking a promise she made to the late Queen Elizabeth by embarking on a paid speaking tour in Australia. The controversial author, who has written a new book about the couple titled Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, described their upcoming trip as "grubby" and a blatant "cash grab."
Controversial Comments from Royal Author
Speaking to Australian news outlet The Daily Telegraph, Bower did not mince words about the Sussexes' motivations for their whirlwind visit Down Under. "First of all Meghan is doing it for money, it's rather grubby," he stated bluntly. "She's monetising her royalty which I think is pretty shabby because she promised the Queen she wouldn't do that."
Bower went further, suggesting the couple might encounter more resistance than they anticipate. "I think they are going to find it much rougher than they anticipated when they arranged this trip," he warned. "This trip to Australia is clearly to make money to raise their profile."
Lavish Speaking Engagements Planned
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced earlier this month that they would be traveling to Australia in mid-April for the first time in over seven years. While their spokesperson confirmed this is not an official royal visit, the couple has planned a series of high-profile speaking engagements with premium ticket prices.
Meghan Markle is scheduled to be the guest of honour at a 'girls weekend' retreat in Sydney, where she will speak at a grand dinner and participate in various events. VIP ticket holders will have the opportunity to take photographs with the Duchess. The pricing for this exclusive event has raised eyebrows, with tickets starting at an eye-watering £1,439. This substantial fee covers:
- Accommodation at a beach-side Sydney hotel
- Access to three days of curated events
- A gala dinner with Meghan Markle
- Yoga and meditation sessions
- A disco celebration
Prince Harry's Separate Engagements
Meanwhile, Prince Harry will be speaking at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne, described as a professional development summit designed to equip leaders with tools to create mentally healthy workplaces. Tickets for this mental health summit begin at £1,054, with proceeds going to Lifeline, an Australian crisis support service.
The rest of the couple's itinerary remains unconfirmed, though their spokesperson indicated they will "take part in a number of private, business and philanthropic engagements" during their time in Australia.
Business Expansion Plans Revealed
Adding fuel to the controversy, recent records reveal Meghan Markle has taken steps to expand her lifestyle brand, As Ever, during the Australian trip. According to The Times, documents registered with the Australian government's intellectual property office show that Meghan has trademarked the brand across multiple categories including:
- Cosmetics and fragrances
- Food seasonings
- Alcoholic beverages
- Non-alcoholic beverages
The trademark was approved last year while the Australian trip was still in planning stages. Currently only available in America, Meghan has previously hinted at ambitions to take the company global.
High-Stakes Career Crossroads
With just weeks remaining before their departure, public relations expert Dermot McNamara told New Magazine that this trip represents a critical juncture for the Sussexes' careers. "It's a last chance for them to establish where they fit and where they want to go," McNamara explained.
He continued: "Harry, in particular, probably feels he should get back out there and they know Australia is a place that loves them dearly, especially when compared to the UK. So it's a trip that has a lot of possibilities but also a lot of risk. It offers a middle ground for them to present themselves as Harry and Meghan, as royals, and as international celebrities, without it being too much in everyone's faces."
The couple last visited Australia in 2018 during their official royal tour, making this upcoming visit their first return in over seven years. As the controversy builds, all eyes will be on how the Australian public receives the Sussexes and whether their ambitious plans will succeed in this crucial international market.
