Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Australia trip payday amid backlash over security cost

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Australia trip payday amid backlash over security costPrince Harry and Meghan Markle's latest visit to Australia is mixing charitable visits alongside commercial engagements while in Melbourne, Sydney and CanberraCommentsNewsJennifer Newton Deputy Royal Editor11:53, 14 Apr 2026The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit the Royal Children's Hospital in MelbournePrince Harry and Meghan Markle's latest trip to Australia is finally underway - with a huge difference to their last tour there. The couple are set to mix charitable visits alongside commercial engagements while in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.‌Harry and Meghan’s office said the coming days will “focus on mental health, community resilience, and support for veterans and their families, alongside private meetings and special projects”. However, with the couple no longer representing the Royal Family, questions have been asked about who is funding the trip, if Australian taxpayers will face any cost - and how much the couple stand to make from the visit Down Under.‌READ MORE: Prince Harry and Meghan tour LIVE: Australia trip starts with mixed reception in MelbourneREAD MORE: Meghan Markle mystery as she cosies up to Netflix boss after cutting ties with streamerView 3 ImagesThe Duchess of Sussex receives flowers and a card from a young patient (Image: PA)‌One of the biggest commercial events for Meghan will come when she is interviewed on stage at a “girls’ weekend” retreat in Sydney this weekend, which costs £1,400 per ticket.VIP tickets for the event at the five-star InterContinental Coogee Beach hotel cost £1,670 and include a group table photo with the duchess. Her appearance was announced last month by Gemma O’Neill, host of the Her Best Life podcast, which is organising the 300-person event.It is unclear how much Meghan stands to make from this event, which still has a "handful of additional rooms" available. However, according to the Daily Mail, Me...