Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have once again drawn attention within the royal household after announcing plans to travel to Australia in mid-April.
A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed that the couple will undertake several private, business, and philanthropic engagements during the visit.
Royal expert Jennie Bond suggested that the timing of the announcement may have raised questions within the palace, as the trip could coincide with commemorations marking what would have been the 100th birthday of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Speaking to the Mirror, Bond noted that members of the royal family, including King Charles III, might be wondering why Harry and Meghan chose to reveal their Australia visit with such fanfare.
She also indicated that the trip could have a commercial element. According to Bond, it remains unclear how much revenue the couple may expect to generate from the visit, but she believes they aim to use their public profile both to promote causes they support and to earn income.
Bond further cautioned that if Meghan promotes herself using the Duchess of Sussex title in a commercial context, it could create complications and make the situation “a little murky.”
