The duke has previously insisted it would be ‘impossible’ to bring his family to the UK without security

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s forthcoming tour of Australia could prove to be a “blueprint” for a future return to the UK, an insider has suggested.

The couple are due to touch and commence their private tour in the Commonwealth state on Tuesday, April 14, marking their first trip Down Under since 2018.

 

Both the duke and duchess will embark on paid speaking events, but may be wary of mixed reactions from locals, in a nation where King Charles is still the head of state.

The former actress will headline a women-only gathering in Sydney, while the prince is scheduled to speak at a mental health conference in Melbourne.

Their children, Archie and Lilibet, will remain in California and will not accompany their parents on this occasion.

Almost 45,000 people have signed an online petition demanding no taxpayer funds be used during the trip.

Despite this, New South Wales Police and Victoria Police confirmed additional security measures will be put in place at the taxpayers’ expense “to ensure public safety is maintained”.

And one source has suggested this particular trip could be used as a test-run for a potential return to the UK.

\u200bPrince Harry and Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s forthcoming tour of Australia next week could prove to be a ‘blueprint’ for a future return to the UK, an insider has suggested

 | GETTY

“It is a significant joint tour and could prove to be a blueprint for future tours together of this type,” the source added to The Sun.

The Royal and VIP Executive Committee, comprising representatives from the Home Office, police and Royal Household, is currently deliberating whether to restore the armed guards withdrawn when the couple departed as working royals.

No timeline has been announced for their decision.

King Charles and Prince Harry

Prince Harry has seen his father, King Charles, just once in the last two years – ‘a private tea’ at Clarence House in September last year

 | PA / Reuters

Should the security review conclude favourably, Meghan could potentially return to Britain this summer alongside Harry for events marking the 12-month countdown to the Invictus Games.

Alternatively, the couple could attend the Birmingham tournament itself in July next year.

While Harry has travelled back to Britain multiple times amid his ongoing legal battles, he has seen his father, King Charles, just once in the last two years – “a private tea” at Clarence House in September last year.

He has repeatedly stated he considers it “impossible” to bring his family to the UK without round-the-clock armed protection funded by taxpayers.

Meghan has not returned to the UK since the funeral of Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex lost automatic taxpayer-funded police protection during their visits to Britain after they stepped away from their official royal duties in 2020 and relocated to America.