A shocking petition is highlighting mixed reactions in Australia ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s upcoming visit.
With 1000’s reportedly opposing taxpayer support for his or her trip, the royal couple is continuous with their plans for appearances in Sydney and Melbourne.
At the identical time, Harry and Meghan are pushing back against claims of tension with Netflix, insisting their partnership stays strong despite reports suggesting otherwise.
Petition Opposes Prince Harry And Meghan Markle’s Australia Visit
In line with Sky News Australia, a growing online petition is giving insight into how some Australians feel about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ahead of their upcoming visit.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to travel to Sydney and Melbourne in April for what’s being described as a combination of “private, business, and philanthropic engagements,” their first trip to Australia since 2018. However the reception will not be as warm as before.
Royal commentator Tom Sykes has suggested the couple should brace themselves for a less enthusiastic welcome, noting they are not any longer guaranteed the general public support they once enjoyed.
That sentiment appears to be echoed in a petition circulating on Change.org, which has already attracted over 10,000 verified signatures.
The campaign argues that Australian taxpayers shouldn’t be chargeable for covering any costs related to the couple’s visit, including “security, logistics, or government coordination,” since they are not any longer working royals.
The petition emphasized that “Harry and Meghan now not represent the Crown and now operate private business ventures from the US.”
As such, it insists their visit needs to be treated strictly as a non-public one, even when it includes media appearances, business ventures, and public events.
Petition Urges No Taxpayer Funding For The Royal Couple’s Visit Due To Cost Of Living In Australia
The petition also points to ongoing cost-of-living challenges in Australia, arguing that “public resources should be used responsibly.”
In line with the petition, providing official support would place an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers.
The message is made especially clear in its closing statement, which stresses that “taxpayers shouldn’t fund a non-public celebrity visit.”
The campaign is accompanied by a picture of the couple alongside the Australian flag, paired with the caption: “We don’t want you here.”
About Prince Harry And Meghan’s Trip And The Duchess’s Special Women’s Retreat
Despite the backlash, Meghan remains to be scheduled to headline a high-profile women’s retreat in Sydney.
Organized by events company Besties, founded by Jackie’ O’ Henderson and Gemma O’Neill, the three-day “Her Best Life Retreat” will happen on the InterContinental Sydney Coogee.
Tickets are priced at $3,000 and include a gala dinner featuring an in-person conversation with Meghan, together with networking sessions, “laughter and unforgettable experiences.”
Along with Sydney, the couple can also be expected to spend time in Melbourne. In the course of the visit, Harry will appear as a keynote speaker on the InterEdge Summit, an event focused on fostering healthier and more productive workplace environments through discussions with leaders and industry experts.
The Duke And Duchess Denied A Bombshell Report About Their Relationship With Netflix
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan are also addressing speculation about tension of their skilled relationship with Netflix.
A spokesperson for the couple has pushed back against claims made in a report by Variety, which suggested the streaming giant had been caught off guard by a few of their independent ventures.
Among the many concerns raised was their high-profile 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, conducted while they were working on their docuseries, “Harry & Meghan.”
Although the interview didn’t breach any contractual terms, the report alleged that Netflix had concerns about “poor communication,” particularly in relation to activities involving their production company, Archewell.
The couple’s representative, nonetheless, firmly rejected that narrative, calling claims that Netflix was unaware of the interview “categorically false” and noting that legal teams on either side were involved throughout the method, standard practice for major deals in Hollywood.
Netflix Slams Claims Of A Rift With Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Despite Reports Of Cooling Partnership
The report also comes shortly after Netflix stepped back from its involvement with Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever.
While the streamer had supported the brand ahead of its launch and collaborated with Meghan on “With Love, Meghan,” a spokesperson confirmed the Duchess will now proceed to grow the enterprise “independently.”
On the time, Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria, expressed confidence within the partnership, highlighting the worldwide reach and impact of Harry and Meghan’s storytelling through Archewell Productions.
Still, in keeping with Variety, the connection can have cooled for the reason that pair signed their multi-year deal in 2020. While “Harry & Meghan” delivered strong viewership, surpassing 81 million hours watched inside days of its release, other projects, including “With Love, Meghan,” reportedly underperformed.
This has led to internal discussions about whether ventures like e-commerce are the precise long-term direction for the collaboration.
Even so, Netflix has dismissed suggestions of a breakdown within the partnership. A spokesperson described claims that executives, including co-CEO Ted Sarandos, have lost confidence within the Sussexes as “absolutely inaccurate.”
“Archewell has been a thoughtful and collaborative partner, and we’ve really enjoyed working with Harry and Meghan,” Bajaria noted, per EW, “They’re deeply engaged within the storytelling process and produce a novel, global perspective that aligns with the sorts of impactful projects our members reply to.”