Four-day visit is the first since the Sussexes stepped down as working royalsCouple visit children’s hospital; Meghan serves food at women’s shelterPetition over policing costs draws more than 45,000 signatures
The couple, known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, began their trip at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, where they took part in an activity in the hospital’s therapeutic garden spaces.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, takes part in a model-making activity with veterans and their families at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM) in Southbank, Melbourne, Australia, April 14, 2026. Jonathan Brady/Pool via REUTERS
“It was a genuinely meaningful visit for our staff and for the young people receiving care,” said Dr Peter Steer, the hospital’s CEO.
Harry, wearing a navy suit and white shirt, spoke to children and posed for photographs with patients in the foyer of the hospital, calling one of the handmade signs welcoming the couple “beautiful”.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, visits the Royal Children’s Hospital, in Melbourne, Australia, April 14, 2026. Jonathan Brady/Pool via REUTERS
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM) in Southbank, Melbourne, Australia, April 14, 2026. Jonathan Brady/Pool via REUTERS
Meghan, who wore a matching A$1,250 ($885) navy dress by Sydney-based designer Karen Gee, later helped serve food at a women’s domestic violence shelter in the city.
The Sussexes stepped down as working members of the British royal family and moved to the U.S. in 2020, citing a desire to be financially independent and to escape what they characterised as media intrusion into their private lives.
The Duchess of Sussex serves lunch to a resident during a visit to McAuley Community Services for Women, a women’s homeless and family violence shelter in Footscray, in Melbourne, Victoria, on day one of the royal trip to Australia. Picture date: Tuesday April 14, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM) in Southbank, Melbourne, Australia, April 14, 2026. Jonathan Brady/Pool via REUTERS
They last visited Australia in 2018 while still working royals, announcing Meghan’s first pregnancy hours after arriving in Sydney.
Their latest visit has captured public attention in Australia, where Britain’s King Charles is the head of state, though a sizeable minority supports becoming a republic.
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, take part in a model-making activity with veterans and their families at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM) in Southbank, Melbourne, Australia, April 14, 2026. Jonathan Brady/Pool via REUTERS
But there was little sign of the ecstatic reception that greeted them on the 2018 trip. Television networks aired footage that they said showed the couple arriving in Melbourne on a commercial flight from Los Angeles, before being taken from the tarmac in a vehicle convoy.
Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, take part in a model-making activity with veterans and their families at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM) in Southbank, Melbourne, Australia, April 14, 2026. Jonathan Brady/Pool via REUTERS
The couple’s travel is being privately funded, though local media reported some policing costs associated with the visit would be paid by Australian taxpayers, sparking a protest petition signed by more than 45,000 people.
The couple will travel to the capital, Canberra, on Wednesday to meet military veterans, attend a mental health summit in Melbourne on Thursday and round off the joint leg of their trip with sailing and rugby events in Sydney on Friday.
Britain’s Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex shakes hands with a veteran as he prepares to take part in a model-making activity with veterans and their families at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM) in Southbank, Melbourne, Australia, April 14, 2026. Jonathan Brady/Pool via REUTERS
In contrast to their previous visit, the Sussexes will also undertake commercial activities while in Australia, with Meghan remaining in the country to host a wellness retreat at a luxury beachside hotel in Sydney over the weekend.
Tanja Johnston, founder of the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM), shows Britain’s Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, an exhibit by veterans at ANVAM in Southbank, Melbourne, Australia, April 14, 2026. Jonathan Brady/Pool via REUTERS
Tickets for the event, which includes yoga, manifestation and sound healing, start at A$2,699 ($1,912) per person.