According to explosive claims from a royal author, Meghan Markle "hated every second" of her 2018 Australian tour with Prince Harry, despite the whirlwind trip being widely celebrated as a triumph at the time. The Duchess of Sussex reportedly found the entire visit "pointless" and failed to grasp its purpose, even as enormous crowds eagerly turned out to welcome the newlywed couple.
The 2018 Tour: A Public Success Masking Private Discontent
The visit occurred just months after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's fairytale wedding and spanned nearly two weeks across Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji. Notably, it began just one day after the couple revealed Meghan's pregnancy, adding to the global media frenzy. Publicly, the tour was hailed as a resounding success, with thousands gathering at landmarks like the Sydney Opera House to catch a glimpse of the royal pair.
Palace Insider Revelations from Tina Brown's Biography
In her royal biography, The Palace Papers, former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown quotes a Palace worker who alleges Meghan loathed the Australian leg of the tour. The couple visited Sydney, Melbourne, Dubbo, and Queensland's Fraser Island before heading to the Invictus Games. The royal employee stated, "So, Meghan must have been thrilled with it all... right? No. She apparently hated every second of it. She didn't understand why things were set up in that way."
The insider elaborated that instead of excitement, Meghan reacted with confusion to the massive crowds, questioning, "What's the purpose? I don't understand this." Another source told The Times in 2021 that the former Suits actress "didn't get it" when jubilant fans gathered, with Meghan allegedly remarking upon seeing hordes outside the Sydney Opera House, "What are they all doing here? It's silly."
Further Claims from Royal Author Valentine Low
Adding to these allegations, royal author Valentine Low wrote in his book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown that while Meghan "enjoyed the attention" in Australia, she did not comprehend the significance of royal walkabouts. The book, citing unnamed staff members, claims Meghan was heard saying, "I can't believe I'm not getting paid for this," highlighting a perceived disconnect from the representational duties of the monarchy.
Contrast with Recent Non-Royal Australian Visit
This revelation comes as Harry and Meghan returned to Australia this week for their first trip since 2018, though not in an official royal capacity. Meghan participated in a "girls' weekend" retreat in Sydney, where VIP tickets cost up to £1,670 and included a group photo with the Duchess. Meanwhile, Harry spoke at the InterEdge Summit, focusing on leadership and human connection in the workplace.
The stark contrast between the 2018 royal tour and their current private engagements underscores the couple's shift away from traditional royal duties, with these new claims suggesting underlying tensions during their earlier official visits.
