Leaked 'operational notes' for Harry and Meghan's Australia tour reveal who's paying for it all, include a VERY telling omission - and confirm the royal tradition they won't be doing - Daily Mail
Of course SeCurITAY plays into this.
So this just "conveniently" gets leaked by a BFF of Harry's. Sure Jan.
'Operational Planning Notes' shared with select media and written by the couple's new PR boss Liam Maguire include an itinerary that features stops in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. The document also emphasises that the Australian taxpayer will not be footing the bill for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's trip.
In an extraordinary move, Mr Maguire, a military veteran and longtime mate of Harry's, also used the briefing document to hit back at the couple's 'critics'. They will make joint appearances focusing on veterans and mental health, including a visit to a children's hospital and an Invictus Australia event on Sydney Harbour.
Meghan will also undertake a solo visit to a women's homelessness shelter, while Harry will attend an AFL club in Melbourne and a rugby union match in Sydney.
Harry is also expected to make a brief visit to Canberra without his wife.
The Mail is not disclosing specific details of dates and times outlined in the operational notes for security reasons.
Notably, the official four-day itinerary, starting next Tuesday, does not include Meghan's appearance at the 'Her Best Life' retreat at the InterContinental Hotel in Sydney's Coogee Beach, which runs from April 17-19.
According to a source, this indicates that the Sussexes are keeping "pseudo royal: engagements separate from Meghan's latest commercial foray into the lifestyle world.
Tacked to the end of Mr Maguire's document is a 'Q&A' for media, which appears to be his attempt to get ahead of thorny enquiries expected from journalists.
An anticipatory question reads, 'Critics say this is a publicity tour; how do you respond?'
The waspish response: 'The programme is rooted in long-standing areas of work for the Duke and Duchess, with a clear focus on amplifying organisations delivering measurable impact.
'The visit prioritises listening, learning and supporting communities rather than promotion.'
The document explained that Meghan, 44, and Harry, 41, were traveling down under after being "invited to Australia by a number of groups."
Mr Maguire insisted the visit was being 'privately funded', ending speculation over whether the Australian taxpayer would be footing the bill.
It was also confirmed that the Sussexes would not be undertaking traditional 'walkabouts' - where members of the Royal Family greet their subjects in public - 'due to the security costs of keeping public order'.
In the Q&A section, there is the question, 'Will the children be travelling with the Duke and Duchess?', alongside the answer, 'No'.
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Posted Apr 9, 2026, 7:54 PM UTC