Australian taxpayers are due to foot the bill for police operations during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s tour of the country next week.

The couple’s itinerary is understood to include stops in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.

More than 35,000 people signed a petition in March demanding no taxpayers’ money be spent on their upcoming visit.

But a spokesman for the couple responded to the petition, stating the trip would be privately funded and pinpointing how many Australians had not signed up.

He said: ‘It’s a moot point. The trip is being funded privately, so I’m not sure what this petition hopes to achieve.’

However, on Friday, police forces in Victoria and New South Wales confirmed they would be running public safety operations this month.

‘The New South Wales Police Force will conduct an operation to ensure public safety is maintained during the visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,’ a spokesperson said.

‘The operation will require some additional security measures throughout their stay in New South Wales, while minimising any disruption to the community.’

Australian taxpayers are due to foot the bill for police operations during the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s tour of the country next week

Police forces in Victoria and New South Wales confirmed they would be running public safety operations this month

Police services will be focused on the events in which the public may possibly be involved, which will be part of the force’s expenditure, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Victoria Police would not comment on the couple’s tour but did acknowledge awareness of a major public event occurring this month when contacted by the Daily Mail.

‘Police are aware two high-profile people are visiting Melbourne in a private capacity in April,’ a spokesperson said.

‘Police routinely assess events and visits and will deploy resources as necessary to ensure community safety.’

They added that Victoria Police does not provide comment on specific operational arrangements, and directed queries to event organisers.

The Daily Mail has contacted the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment.

Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, previously visited Australia in 2018 when they were both senior working members of the Royal Family.

The couple had a police escort wherever they went, and also stayed at the Governor-General’s residence, which overlooks the world-famous Sydney Harbour.

Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, previously visited Australia in 2018 when they were both senior working members of the Royal Family

Despite Harry and Meghan no longer representing His Majesty the King after they stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California in 2020, their trip Down Under appears to resemble a royal tour in many ways.

A leaked document seen by the Mail revealed that they will make joint appearances focusing on veterans and mental health, including a visit to a children’s hospital and an Invictus Australia event on Sydney Harbour.

Meghan will also undertake a solo visit to a women’s homelessness shelter, while Harry will attend an AFL club in Melbourne and a rugby union match in Sydney.

Harry is also expected to make a brief visit to Canberra without his wife.

The Mail is not disclosing specific details of dates and times outlined in the operational notes for security reasons.

Notably, the official four-day itinerary, starting next Tuesday, does not include Meghan’s appearance at the ‘Her Best Life’ retreat at the InterContinental Hotel in Sydney’s Coogee Beach, which runs from April 17-19.

According to a source, this indicates that the Sussexes are keeping ‘pseudo-royal’ engagements separate from Meghan’s latest commercial foray into the lifestyle world.

The document explained that Meghan, 44, and Harry, 41, were travelling Down Under after being ‘invited to Australia by a number of groups’.

The couple’s new PR boss Liam Maguire stated the visit was being ‘privately funded’.

It was also confirmed that the Sussexes would not be undertaking traditional ‘walkabouts’ – where members of the Royal Family greet their subjects in public – ‘due to the security costs of keeping public order’.

Despite the itinerary closely resembling previous official royal engagements, fans may be disappointed not to see Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, in person.