Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have begun a four-day visit to Australia, in what commentators describe as a “quasi-royal” tour.

The privately funded trip, which started on Tuesday, April 14, will see the couple visit Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney for a mix of public engagements, business events and charity-focused activities. 

Unlike their 2018 official royal tour, the visit is not sanctioned by the British monarchy and does not include traditional public walkabouts. 

Prince Harry is expected to speak at a mental health summit, while Meghan will headline a high-end women’s wellness retreat in Sydney as part of her media and lifestyle engagements. 

The tour also includes visits to community organisations, veterans’ groups and health institutions, with organisers saying the focus will be on mental health, resilience and social impact. 

However, the visit has attracted criticism, with some observers describing it as commercially driven due to ticketed events and branded appearances. 

Others have also raised concerns about potential security costs and the use of public resources for what is largely a private trip. 

The couple, who stepped back from official royal duties in 2020, are undertaking the visit without their children and are expected to combine private engagements with limited public appearances. 

Their visit marks their first return to Australia since their widely publicised royal tour in 2018.