Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Australia tour seen as ‘blueprint’ for UK comeback

An insider has hinted that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's upcoming visit to Australia might serve as a "model" for their potential comeback to the UK.

The pair are set to arrive and kick off their private visit to the Commonwealth country on Tuesday (April 14), marking their first journey to this part of the world since 2018.

During their visit, both the duke and duchess are scheduled to participate in paid speaking engagements, though they might exercise caution due to varied public sentiments in a nation where King Charles remains the head of state.

The former actress is expected to lead an event exclusively for women in Sydney, while the prince is due to address a mental health conference in Melbourne.

Their kids, Archie and Lilibet, will stay in California and won't travel with their parents this time.

Nearly 45,000 individuals have signed an online petition urging that no public funds be utilized for the trip.

Nonetheless, New South Wales Police and Victoria Police have announced heightened security at the public's expense "to ensure public safety is maintained".

A source has indicated this specific trip could act as a trial run for a possible UK return.

"This is a significant joint visit, and it may be pivotal for planning future similar tours together," the source mentioned to The Sun.

The Royal and VIP Executive Committee, which includes members from the Home Office, police, and Royal Household, is currently considering whether to reinstate the armed security that was withdrawn when the couple stepped down as senior royals.

If the security review concludes positively, Meghan might be able to visit Britain this summer with Harry for events marking the year-long countdown to the Invictus Games.

Alternatively, the couple might attend the Birmingham tournament itself in July of the following year.

Though Harry has returned to Britain multiple times amidst his ongoing legal cases, he has met his father, King Charles, just once in the last two years—a "private tea" at Clarence House last September.

He has frequently mentioned that he finds it "impossible" to bring his family to the UK without the assurance of taxpayer-funded, 24-hour armed security.

Since the funeral of Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022, Meghan has not visited the UK.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex forfeited their automatic taxpayer-funded police protection during trips to Britain after stepping back from their official royal roles in 2020 and moving to America.