The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sat in the first-class section of the aeroplane

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle touched down in Melbourne this evening aboard a commercial Qantas aircraft, travelling in first-class accommodation.

According to reports on Sunrise, an Australian breakfast programme, the couple occupied seats in row three of the flight, taking advantage of the airline’s premium offerings.

The arrival marks a stark departure from their previous Australian visit in 2018, when the newlyweds undertook an official royal tour that drew substantial crowds across the Pacific region over 16 days.

This time, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will proceed through customs like ordinary travellers before beginning their privately funded four-day visit across three Australian cities.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle land in Melbourne after taking commercial flight

 | GETTY / SUNRISE

The couple’s itinerary commences on Tuesday with engagements spanning Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney over four days.

Their Melbourne schedule includes a visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum.

The duke and duchess will also attend Whitten Oval, home ground of AFL side the Western Bulldogs, for an event organised by Movember.

The entire trip has been funded privately, with no public walkabouts planned due to security considerations and costs associated with maintaining public order.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry performing a walkabout near the Sydney Opera House in 2018

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An online petition opposing taxpayer funding for policing operations connected to the visit has garnered more than 45,000 signatures.

The duke’s Canberra programme features a visit to the Australian War Memorial, where he will also meet with Indigenous veterans.

An Invictus Australia reception forms part of his schedule in the capital, alongside participation in the daily Last Post Ceremony.

Following his Canberra commitments, Prince Harry will return to Melbourne for a guided cultural walk and a visit to a mental health charity. He is also set to deliver the keynote address at the InterEdge Summit.

Harry and Meghan pictured during their 2018 trip to Australia | GETTY

The visit centres on mental health awareness, community resilience and support for veterans and their families, rather than constituting an official royal tour.

Upon reaching Sydney, the duke and duchess are scheduled to sail around the harbour alongside Invictus Australia representatives.

The couple will also attend the Super Rugby Pacific fixture between the NSW Waratahs and Moana Pasifika.

Harry and Meghan pictured in Sydney in 2018 | GETTYTheir Australian engagements have been arranged around existing commitments, with the pair using the opportunity to connect with organisations aligned with their values and causes they have long championed.

Since stepping back as working members of the Royal Family in 2020, the couple have resided in Montecito, California, where they welcomed their daughter Lilibet in 2021.

They retain their titles but no longer undertake official royal duties.