In a notable return to Australia, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are scheduled to visit the continent in mid-April, marking their first trip since stepping down as working royals. The couple last visited in 2018, when they announced that they were expecting their first child during their attendance at the Invictus Games in Sydney.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/meghan-markle-prince-harry-100925-1-d5028259294e44029b51c289d28a7196.jpg)
A spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle confirmed the forthcoming visit in a statement issued to PEOPLE magazine. “Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will visit Australia in mid-April to take part in a number of private, business, and philanthropic engagements,” the spokesperson noted. While specific details of their itinerary have not yet been disclosed, it is anticipated that the couple will be visiting key cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.
The couple’s children, Prince Archie, aged six, and Princess Lilibet, aged four, are not expected to accompany them on this trip. Harry and Meghan’s last visit to Australia holds significant memories, notably reflecting on their royal duties before they relocated to California. Their 2018 trip was particularly memorable as they revealed Meghan’s pregnancy to the public shortly after their wedding, which took place five months prior.
As the couple prepares for their visit, they hinted at their intentions to return to Australia in a letter addressed to celebrity astrologer Angela Pearl, which was shared on social media. In this correspondence, the couple expressed gratitude to Pearl for their previous meeting and shared their hopes of visiting Australia again, providing a glimpse into their plans to reconnect with the region.
This upcoming journey follows other philanthropic engagements undertaken by the Sussexes in recent months. In February, Harry and Meghan made a significant humanitarian visit to Jordan in collaboration with the World Health Organization. During their trip, they engaged with medical evacuees from Gaza, visited a refugee camp, and toured the King Hussein Cancer Centre, which focuses on cancer treatment and prevention.
Their trip to Jordan occurred just days after the arrest of Prince Harry’s uncle, ex-Prince Andrew, bringing a range of emotions and public scrutiny to the family. The couple’s recent travels have included visits to Nigeria and Colombia in 2024, further highlighting their commitment to humanitarian causes. In Nigeria, they were invited to meet with military personnel and participate in cultural engagements that held personal significance for Meghan, who has a notable Nigerian heritage.
Meanwhile, their visit to Colombia involved meeting with local activists, community members, and athletes preparing for the Invictus Games. Such engagements reflect their ongoing dedication to various global causes and their desire to leverage their platform for positive change.
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prepare for their trip to Australia, many will be watching closely, curious about their planned activities and how they will navigate their return to a country they once visited as official representatives of the British monarchy. The couple’s journey reflects both their commitment to philanthropy and their ongoing evolution following their decision to step down from royal duties.
Further details regarding their engagements in Australia are anticipated in due course, as public interest in their return continues to grow. The upcoming visit promises to be a poignant moment for the couple as they reconnect with Australia, a nation that has played a significant role in their personal and public lives.