Harry and Meghan’s huge Australia plans: Couple to return Down Under more than seven years since last visit

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will land in Australia in the coming weeks in a surprise visit, marking over seven years since the couple’s successful royal tour.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to visit Sydney and Melbourne in mid-April for a range of activities related to their business and philanthropic work, reports news.com.au.

It’s not been confirmed whether the Sussexes’ children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, will join them on the trip or stay in Montecito, California.

While details of their plans haven’t been confirmed, it’s likely the couple will speak with Australia’s armed forces or veterans’ community, given Harry’s connections to both.

However it’s understood Meghan could also venture into Australia’s podcasting scene, with reports she is due to appear as a guest on the ‘Her Best Life’ podcast, launched and co-hosted by Jackie O Henderson through her ‘Besties’ company.

The embattled radio star, who is currently in the news following the shock collapse of the Kyle and Jackie O Show last week, ‘stepped away’ from the podcast in February.

Meghan is also rumoured to appear as a special guest at an upcoming Besties event, similar to actress Gwyneth Paltrow who took part in a Q&A with Henderson at Sydney’s Darling Harbour in 2023.

No events are currently advertised on the Besties website however followers are encouraged to ‘sign up to be the first to know.’

The Sussexes last travelled to Australia in 2018 as working members of the British royal family.

News of the Sussexes’ upcoming trip comes just days after it was announced Meghan had split from Netflix and would take complete control of her As Ever jam brand, after the streaming giant dropped her lifestyle show amid savage reviews from critics.

The Duchess announced a partnership with the company a year ago when it commissioned a new season of her show, With Love, Meghan.

The deal gave Netflix a stake in her As Ever brand, which includes her jam, rosé wine and flower sprinkles.

Insiders claim Meghan thought Netflix was being too ‘cautious’ and wants to ‘go global’, believing her brand can ‘stand on its own’.

Meghan’s Christmas episode, ‘With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration’ attracted scathing reviews from critics, who accused her of being ‘out of touch’ in the ‘tectonically tacky’ show.

A spokesman for As Ever confirmed to the Daily Mail: ‘As Ever is grateful for Netflix’s partnership through launch and our first year.

‘We have experienced meaningful and rapid growth and As Ever is now ready to stand on its own.

‘We have an exciting year ahead and can’t wait to share more.’

More to come.