Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have their upcoming trip to Australia, causing a lot of stir, and it looks like the continent’s residents are even up in arms about it.
A few weeks ago, it was revealed that the famous couple would be visiting down under for a trip, and in response, thousands of Australian residents have signed a petition demanding that no taxpayer funds be put towards their trip. Though a spokesperson for the couple is insisting the trip will solely be “private” and funded on their own, users and signers are still slamming the visit in general. Read more about the situation below.
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Australians Form & Sign Petition To Demand Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Fund Their Upcoming Trip
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been out and about lately, heading out on humanitarian trips that are reminiscent of their days as actively working royals. Though they officially stepped down from their duties in 2020 and moved from the UK to California, the pair are still insistent on keeping up charitable projects.
Therefore, when it was revealed that they would be visiting Australia this spring, many assumed they'd be doing some kind of public works and visits, which require security and other special accommodations. Right now, they're not getting a warm reception from the continent before they even go.
This month, a petition on the popular social activism website, Change.org, was created by the organization Beyond Australia, titled "No Taxpayer-Funding or Official Support for Harry & Meghan's Private Visit to Australia!"
Sp"These activities are private and commercial and must be treated strictly as a private visit," reads the petition, referencing the reported planned activities of the Duke and Duchess. "At a time when Australians are facing significant cost-of-living pressures, including rising grocery bills, fuel prices, mortgage stress driven by interest rate hikes, and increasing energy costs, public resources must be used responsibly and applied fairly, without special treatment for high-profile individuals."
Social Media Reacts As Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's Spokesperson Responds To The Petition
It didn't take long for the Australian petition to generate buzz and go viral, gaining over 40,000 signatures so far. As the petition started generating headlines and thousands of internet users from around the world began contributing to the conversation and debate surrounding their upcoming visit, a spokesperson for the parents-of-two ended up responding to it on their behalf.
"It's a moot point," read the response, according to the Daily Mail. "The trip is being funded privately, so I'm not sure what this petition hopes to achieve."
Despite the insistence that the trip will be private and paid for on their own, Australians and other social media users are continuing to push against it.
"Unnecessary travel in a fuel crisis, not to mention all the fuel used for security!" wrote an Australian user on YouTube. "Especially when our poor farmers can't get it to produce or deliver food for our families. Where's the common sense and priorities?"
"Should be a worldwide petition actually," commented another, as one user added, "It's simple, the petition says 'don't come.'"
"You can always trust the Aussies to tell it like it is," added a user.
On Instagram, one user simply rejected the idea of the visit by writing, "Stay away, mate."
