Meghan Markle is convinced her recent Australia trip with Prince Harry was 'the best thing ever,' viewing the so‑called 'faux royal' tour as proof they can thrive without the monarchy, according to insiders who spoke to OK!magazine about the controversial visit.
The couple's latest journey Down Under was their most conspicuous overseas outing in some time. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020 andrelocating to California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have tried to recast themselves as independent operators, funding their lives through media deals and their Archewell foundation while maintaining a public-facing role that still looks, at times, decidedly regal.
In Australia, the pair attended a series of engagements in Sydney and Melbourne. They turned up at community events, mingled with local leaders and fronted charity-focused gatherings, drawing sizeable crowds of well-wishers. Alongside that, they were also involved in meetings with commercial links, which critics seized on as further blurring an already hazy line between public service and private brand-building.
This is where the'faux royal' chargesticks most firmly to Meghan. The couple may no longer represent the crown, yet the shape of the visit echoed an old-school royal tour: staged walkabouts, handshakes, inspirational speeches, photo opportunities with children and volunteers.
Defenders argue that this is simply what modern philanthropy looks like. The Sussexes' programme included a youth leadership forum, where Meghan spoke on empowerment and social change, and a visit to an environmental initiative backed by Harry. The duke also spent time with veterans' groups, continuing his long-standing advocacy for military communities.
Aides insisted the trip was independently organised and aligned with their private work rather than any official mandate. Still, the choreography felt familiar enough that detractors were quick to label the visit a 'cosplay' or 'faux royal' tour, accusing the couple of trading on a royal aura while rejecting the institution that created it.
One media analyst, speaking to OK!, framed the tension bluntly. 'There is an ongoing tension between how Harry and Meghan present these trips and how they are perceived – some see continuity in their charitable efforts, while others see an attempt to replicate the status of their former roles.' In other words, the pictures out of Sydney may look like business as usual, but they are now viewed through a far more sceptical lens.
Privately, sources say Meghan has taken the Australia experience as vindication. One insider told OK! that she has returned to California with 'a renewed sense of certainty about the choices she's made.' According to this account, she believes the warm reception on the ground shows she 'didn't need the backing of the royal institution to be well received or to make an impact.'
The source characterises Meghan as 'deludedly optimistic,' arguing that she sees only the cheers and supportive signs, not the critical commentary that followed the tour. In their words, 'no matter how deluded that is in the face of the massive criticism the trip attracted,' she is convinced the visit has reinforced the idea that she and Harry can 'succeed on [their] own terms.'
A second insider took a dimmer view, describing Meghan's reading of events as 'wildly optimistic.' They pointed out that every stop on the schedule was tightly curated, with friendly audiences and sympathetic hosts. 'They see the tour as selective and controlled, not a reflection of broad public sentiment, and they worry she's ignoring the criticism,' the source said, adding that to declare it a huge success 'feels out of touch' to some around her.
Source: International Business Times UK
