Harry and Meghan Flying Commercial to Australia Was a Clever Move — and It May Have Just Worked
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle trade private luxury for commercial business class as they touch down in Melbourne for their four-day tour.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s low-key arrival in Melbourne on April 14 lacked the usual spectacle associated with royal visits, reflecting their transition from working royals to private citizens. In a choice that caught fellow passengers off guard, the couple flew commercial business class from LA — a sharp contrast to the luxury private travel that defined their first visit to Australia eight years ago. This new travel ‘strategy’ has quickly divided royal observers, with some seeing it as a practical choice born out of necessity, while others view it as a savvy PR move designed to soften their image, particularly as the couple faces heat from Aussies over who is funding the trip.
In the last couple of months, the couple has navigated a landscape of failed media deals and shifting public opinion, which, according to royal expert Ian Pelham Turner, may have played a huge role in their choice to fly commercial to better align themselves with the public. “Travelling on a commercial flight, I feel, was a very good move on their part as they continue to be seen as part of the people rather than in some privileged position,” he added while speaking to Fox News Digital. He also pointed out that on their previous tour, the Sussexes were more popular than Prince William and Princess Catherine, suggesting “that [this move] will get noticed by the Australian press too.”
The couple’s recent arrival couldn’t have been more different from 2018, when they stepped off a luxury Qantas suite and immediately captured international headlines with the news of Markle’s first pregnancy. This time — breaking from royal tradition — the couple even bypassed the usual airport press line, opting to depart in a discreet convoy. Still, their presence didn’t go entirely unnoticed by fellow travelers, who were quick to realize they were sharing the flight with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Speaking to The Age, an American passenger highlighted that “It wasn't until we got off the plane that we realized it was them,” while another individual who only managed to spot Harry said, “I’ve never seen anyone step off a flight looking so refreshed.”
While Pelham suggested flying business class was a calculated move by the Sussexes to soften public opinion, others believe the frugal travel choice might be a necessity given their recent financial setbacks. British broadcaster Hilary Fordwich suggested that the burden of a $9.5 million mortgage and multi-million dollar annual security costs is causing them to feel a pinch. “With their failed deals and lack of large income stream, no doubt they are financially strapped,” she remarked.
The optics of the move, however, she suggested, were undeniably positive, saying, “This was an extremely good move. It was received well by the public, obviously far better than flying private… Makes one wonder if it was indeed…deliberately done to garner public support? If it was, it certainly was a successful strategy.” On the ground, the couple immediately leaned into the causes close to their hearts, visiting the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne — a trip that echoed a 1985 trip made by Princess Diana.
