The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have started their first day of engagements in Australia.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have touched down in Australia for the start of their four-day visit, with the Duke of Sussex saying it was “great” to be back. When asked by a reporter what he looked forward to most about his Australian visit, Harry replied: “Everything.”

“It’s good to be back,” he added. The couple arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday, having flown business class from Los Angeles on a commercial Qantas Airways flight.

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“The Harkles are still using the titles for commercial purposes, contrary to the exit agreement. The only way to stop them is to remove all the …”

Their first public engagement was at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital. Harry’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II opened the facility in 1963 and his parents, Princess Diana and the then-Prince Charles, visited in 1985. The Sussexes shook hands with dozens of well-wishers and were filmed by hundreds of onlookers’ phones as they entered the hospital foyer.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arrived in Australia (Image: Getty)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry take a photo with some children (Image: Getty Images)

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and staff at McAuley Community Services (Image: Getty Images)

Harry and Meghan’s trip has been shrouded by controversy, as although they insist it is privately funded, taxpayers cash has been used to safeguard the couple’s security.

Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper described the latest visit as a ”faux royal tour to shore up Brand Sussex.”

Giselle Bastin, a Flinders University expert on the British royals, said the Sussexes’ decision to use their titles to pursue private interests will be perceived by many as a conflict of interest.

“It’s well known that the Sussexes are in dire need of income and so a staging of a quasi-royal tour to Australia is being regarded as a rather desperate attempt to monetise their status as royalty,” she said.