As royal tours go, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Australia in 2018 was considered a tremendous success.
They wooed the public by breaking protocol to embrace adoring fans, brought the rain with them when they visited drought-stricken communities and even timed their pregnancy announcement to coincide with their arrival.
The newlyweds were clearly smitten, and the Australian press couldn’t help but liken Harry’s new bride to his late mother, Diana, who also stole hearts when she arrived Down Under in 1983.
But the Duke of Sussex told Oprah Winfrey in a bombshell sit down interview which aired on Tuesday the comparisons did little to help Meghan’s social standing in the palace.
As royal tours go, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Australia in 2018 was considered a tremendous success
The affection and clear joy they took from engaging with the public was reminiscent of Diana and her trip to Australia, in which the people’s princess took the time to get to know legions of her adoring fans
Meghan Markle was praised – and even compared to Diana – following her successful royal tour of Australia in 2018
In fact, likening her to the people’s princess may well have contributed to the new Duchess feeling ostracised and unwanted among members of the Firm and their staff, Harry concluded.
‘They were really welcoming… but it changed after the Australia tour,’ he confessed in the two hour sit-down with the A-list talk show host.
‘It was also the first time that the family got to see how incredible she is at the job. And that brought back memories,’ he said, referring to Diana.
Prince Harry went on to say that while Meghan could have been ‘one of the greatest assets to the Commonwealth the family could have ever wished for,’ her popularity was confronting for the palace.
The Duke of Sussex told Oprah Winfrey in a sit down interview which aired on Tuesday the comparisons did little to help Meghan’s social standing in the palace
When Oprah asked whether there were ‘hints of jealousy’, the Duke responded by saying: ‘I just wish that we would all learn from the past’.
The Sussexes completed 75 engagements in 16 days across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga during the whirlwind tour – all while Meghan was in the early stages of her first pregnancy.
Even as rumours surfaced that Meghan had been difficult and demanding to staff, it was the couple’s humanity and warmth with the public that stuck after their tour drew to a close.
Bringing good luck to a down-and-out country town
The second stop on the royal tour was to Dubbo, a rural town in Central West New South Wales that had been crippled by drought for years prior to the visit.
But the day the Sussexes arrived, down came the rain, dampening ground that hadn’t seen a drop in two years.
‘This rain is a gift,’ Harry told the crowds as Meghan tried to shield him from the downpour with her umbrella.
The couple visited Buninyong Public School during their stay in Dubbo, and it was there they met five-year-old Luke Vincent, who stole hearts globally when he rushed to give the Duke and Duchess a cuddle.
The second stop on the royal tour was to Dubbo, a rural community town in Central West New South Wales that had been crippled by drought for years prior to the visit. But the day the Sussexes arrived, down came the rain, dampening ground that hadn’t seen a drop in two years
Both Meghan and Harry embraced the little boy, who has down syndrome and is non-verbal, and pictures of the sweet moment went viral within hours.
When Harry approached, the boy immediately reached over to rub his beard, before handing over a bouquet of flowers to the Duchess of Sussex.
He then enjoyed a big hug from Meghan before also embracing Prince Harry – taking the opportunity to have another rub of the royal’s beard.
The couple visited Buninyong Public School during their stay in Dubbo, and it was there they met five-year-old Luke Vincent, who stole hearts globally when he rushed to give the Duke and Duchess a cuddle
Princess Diana greeted crowds and spent time getting to know her fans while on her official Australian royal tour in 1983
Heartwarming reunions and connecting with the public
Luke Vincent wasn’t the only Australian who had a chance to get close to the royal couple during their tour.
Time and time again, the Sussexes were pictured having intimate conversations or embracing fans during their time Down Under.
Royal protocol dictates that members of the public should not touch the royal family – though this etiquette rule seems far less important among modern working royals.
On the first full day of the tour, the Duke was reunited with Daphne Dunne – a 98-year-old war widow who captured the hearts of a nation when she first met Harry in 2015 and then again in 2017.
Ms Dunne previously caught Harry’s eye after waiting in the rain wearing her husband’s Victoria Cross medal to meet him, and he spotted her in the crowd again during his Australian tour as she waited patiently with a bouquet of flowers to present to he and his wife.
Prince Harry meets 98-year-old Daphne Dunne outside Sydney Opera House. She held her hands to his face before sharing a hug.
Prince Harry introduced Meghan to Daphne Dunne, after calling her over when he spotted the war widow in the crowd. Meghan knelt down and said: ‘I’m so happy to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.’
‘How are you? I’m going to get my wife to come over to say hello,’ he said to Ms Dunne, before introducing her to Meghan.
‘Oh my goodness, is this Daphne? I’m so happy to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you – all good things,’ Meghan said as the two women clasped hands.
The joy they took out of engaging with the public was reminiscent of Diana and her trip to Australia, in which the people’s princess took the time to get to know legions of her adoring fans.
Both Meghan and Diana were considerate of local traditions and customs, with photos taken from each tour of the women dressed in traditional outfits and performing customary greetings.
Time and time again, the Sussexes were pictured having intimate conversations or embracing fans during their time Down Under
Both Meghan and Diana were considerate of local traditions and customs, with photos taken from each tour of the women dressed in traditional outfits and performing customary greetings
Royal protocol dictates that members of the public should not touch the royal family – though this etiquette rule seems far less important among modern working royals
Pregnancy announcement and accepting gifts for their baby
As Meghan and Harry touched down in Australia for their first official royal tour as husband and wife, Kensington Palace released a perfectly timed statement on behalf of the royal family.
‘Their Royal Highnesses are very pleased to announce that the Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in spring 2019. Their Royal Highnesses very much appreciate all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share their happy news,’ the message read.
‘The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted for the couple. Ms Doria Ragland is very happy about the lovely news and she looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild.’
Australian officials were then able to give the newlyweds their very first official gifts for little Archie, which included a stuffed toy kangaroo, koala and a pair of tiny Ugg boots.
On December 31st, 2019, the royal couple shared new photos of little Archie wearing the fluffy boots in a nod to their successful Australian tour.
Australian officials were then able to give the newlyweds their very first official gifts for little Archie, which included a stuffed toy kangaroo, koala and a pair of tiny Ugg boots
Prince Charles and Princess Diana brought baby William along for their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1983
Sharing intimate details of their personal lives
In addition to saving their pregnancy announcement for the royal tour, both Meghan and Harry were candid during public speeches and in conversations with the public.
During her speech at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, the Duchess of Sussex shared an insight into her own upbringing and revealed she struggled to finance her college education.
Addressing students, she explained how earnings from a job she had on campus at Northwestern University went ‘directly towards my tuition’.
‘I am also fully aware of the challenges of being able to afford this level of schooling for many people around the world – myself included.
In addition to saving their pregnancy announcement for the royal tour, both Meghan and Harry were candid during public speeches and in conversations with the public
Diana spoke openly about motherhood, William’s favourite toys to play with as a toddler and her life before becoming a member of the royal family on the tour and afterwards
‘It was through scholarships, financial aid programmes and work-study where my earnings from a job on campus went directly towards my tuition – that I was able to attend university. And, without question, it was worth every effort.’
Diana was commended for her lack of pretension in Australia which won over even the most fervent republicans.
Diana spoke openly about motherhood, William’s favourite toys to play with as a toddler and her life before becoming a member of the royal family.
Harry also touched on his mental health while discussing the drought with farmers and both he and Meghan were met with cheers when they arrived at the Invictus Games.
Diana was commended for her lack of pretension in Australia which won over even the most fervent republicans
Harry also touched on his mental health while discussing the drought with farmers and both he and Meghan were met with cheers when they arrived at the Invictus Games (pictured)
After the couple returned home, word spread that all was not well within the palace, including rumours of a rift between brothers and a falling out between Meghan and Kate Middleton.
In 2020, Meghan and Harry announced they were stepping down as senior working members of the royal family, and last month they were officially stripped of any remaining titles and patronages they had.
The palace released a carefully worded statement which read: ‘While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family.’
On Tuesday, the Sussexes’ interview with Oprah aired on CBS and featured a raft of bombshell allegations, including that Meghan was suicidal and repeatedly asked for help and that a member of the family had expressed concerns over ‘how dark’ their future baby’s skin might be.
The palace is yet to respond to the claims made during the segment, but the Queen was reportedly in ‘crisis talks’ with Harry’s father Prince Charles and brother Prince William – both future kings.