In Aussie parlance, Meghan and Prince Harry\u2019s whirlwind visit down under was the very definition of a \u201cClaytons\u201d tour.<\/p>\n
Claytons in Australia is primarily known as a cultural phrase for a substitute, fake or ersatz version of something, the saying evolving from a 1970s\/80s non-alcoholic beverage marketed as \u201cthe drink you have when you\u2019re not having a drink\u201d.<\/p>\n
Yes, Harry and Meghan are royals. But this was not a royal tour. It was something very different.<\/p>\n
No one seems sure exactly why they were here. Were there meant to be streets lined with adoring royalists, throwing posies and waving flags? Or was it really all about publicity and profit?<\/p>\n
In the salt air of Sydney harbour, the world\u2019s most famous spare, Harry, joined by his wife, Meghan, wrapped up their four-day tour on Friday.<\/p>\n
Between discussing mental health and appearing on the cooking competition MasterChef Australia, the Sussexes celebrated Australia\u2019s social media ban for children, served frittata to homeless women, disappointed gathered crowds by not appearing, wooed others, and had the local media in an absolute frenzy.<\/p>\n
Where they went, the eyes of the press followed. And while their events were tightly controlled, with no questions allowed, people still asked: how much were tickets to the commercial dinners (about $3,000), what is Harry like in person, what was Meghan wearing, how much was she earning from putting her looks on OneOff, a \u201cfashion discovery platform\u201d she has investment in \u2013 and how much did the taxpayer fork out for this, and why exactly are they here again?<\/p>\n
Were they really just here to use Australia as an ATM?<\/p>\n
Meghan and Harry on a tour of Sydney harbour with Invictus Australia. Photograph: Dean Lewins\/AAP<\/p>\n
Associate Prof Lauren Rosewarne from the school of social and political sciences at the University of Melbourne says that at the end of the day Meghan and Harry were in Australia to boost their personal brand, which has two arms: charity work and commercial endeavours. Just two people making money for themselves and the things they care about.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe primary way to measure the success of the visit is whether it helped their brand,\u201d Rosewarne says. \u201cThey are, after all, no longer \u2018working royals\u2019, so they are visiting Australia in service of their brand as individuals and as a couple.\u201d<\/p>\n
While taxpayers footed an unknown cost for some of the extra policing needed for the trip, it was reported that large public gatherings were avoided to prevent higher costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, Australia, like the world, has mixed feelings about them,\u201d Rosewarne says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe absence of open-to-the-public events means we don\u2019t have great insight into how enthusiastic support is \u2013 beyond those who paid several thousand dollars to see them speak at various events.\u201d<\/p>\n
It has not gone unnoticed that the pair are reportedly struggling to fund their lifestyle, despite Harry reportedly inheriting roughly \u00a310m (US$13m) from his late mother, Diana, and another \u00a37-8m (US$10.5m) from the queen mother.<\/p>\n
Things were very different back in 2018, when the pair first visited Australia.<\/p>\n
Newly married and newly pregnant, Australia ate the royals up. They were welcomed by rapturous crowds and met the then prime minister, Scott Morrison. Throngs of people attended their public outings, lavish receptions were thrown and flowers were presented.<\/p>\n
Meghan and Harry pose for a selfie at Bondi Surf Bathers\u2019 Life Saving Club at Bondi beach. Photograph: Jonathan Brady\/PAMeghan meets volunteer first responders from Bondi Surf Bathers\u2019 Life Saving Club. Photograph: Jonathan Brady\/PA<\/p>\n
Harry himself has noted that the 2018 tour caused waves in Buckingham Palace because of Meghan\u2019s ability to charm the public.<\/p>\n