Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s trip to Australia next month is grabbing a lot of headlines – most of which aren’t very positive.
It’s not entirely clear what their full schedule will be Down Under, although the former Suits actress, 44, has reportedly sold $2K VIP tickets to a girls’ retreat in Sydney (much to the chagrin of social media.) Several reports also claim Meghan will appear as a guest on the Her Best Life podcast, launched and co-hosted by Jackie ‘O’ Henderson through her ‘Besties’ company. Let’s hope it’s less cringe than her previous one!
As for what Prince Harry, 41, is doing on what is being described as their “faux royal tour,” he is expected to meet with armed forces personnel and veterans, with some reports suggesting he could attend or speak at a mental health summit. It also appears that As Ever will be heavily promoted throughout the trip, although it’s currently unclear in what context…
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Meghan Markle Reportedly Trademarks As Ever Lifestyle Brand In Australia
According to reports, it is looking like Meghan's lifestyle brand – which Netflix reportedly cut ties with earlier this month – will feature prominently during their trip, as she and Prince Harry have reportedly trademarked the name in Australia.
The internet believes this could mean they are planning to sell a wide range of As Ever products, including jam, marmalade, chocolate, and more. And at the same time, it didn't hesitate to question whether this move will be successful or not, especially since Netflix HQ reportedly has many unsold products and is "giving them away," despite earlier claims of everything selling out almost instantly.
According to The Telegraph, the registration suggests As Ever is going far beyond what is currently happening in the U.K. and the U.S., as it covers yoga straps, pet feeding mats, bath and shower gels, jewelry, furniture, and gardening equipment, including "gardening trowels, gardening shears, gardening weeding forks (and a) garden tool gift set." Interesting!
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."
The Internet Begs King Charles To Remove Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Titles
It understandably didn't take long for the internet to weigh in, with many of them concerned about the pair monetizing their titles – something which the late Queen Elizabeth II didn't want! – and others begging King Charles to remove their titles.
"Please no. Grifters Down Under – both of these gave up the royal life, stop encouraging them to monetize Henry's birth title," wrote one Daily Mail reader.
"King Charles needs to do the same to them that he's just done to his brother, then they can do whatever they want. They are not supposed to monetize their titles, but that's all they've been doing since leaving England. For someone who supposedly had such a terrible time in the royal family, Meghan sure clings to her title like a limpet to a ship," added a second, as a third concurred: "Megs goes to Australia in an attempt to cream as much money as possible. Philanthropic refers to showing concern for humanity, especially through charitable actions – in her case, charity begins at home… her home," commented a third.
"What has Australia done to deserve this?" asked a fourth reader. "I bet this stuff is even less popular Down Under than it is in the U.S. However, I wonder if the few Aussies who will buy it realize they're getting the dusty, crusty stock that she couldn't sell here. Now she's headed for yet another train wreck," added a fifth.
"I can see them being booed when they turn up. Aussies have the same opinion of them as we do. Grifting As Ever (trademarked)," wrote a sixth. "Wow, they really are desperate. The King should be very wary of this money-grabbing pair of grifters as they seem determined to trash the monarchy they rely on for monetizing their lifestyle," commented a seventh.
"Please Australia. Give the pair of these grifters a big boot Down Under!" wrote an eighth. "I cannot imagine that many of our Australian cousins will be dazzled by the pseudo-royal peddling over-priced 'stuff.' Of any nation, they are the most down-to-earth who can spot a grifter a mile off," added a ninth.
"If she didn't make millions in the U.S. from her products, what makes her think the Australians will be interested?" wrote a tenth. "This silly Australian woman admiring such a leech as MM defies logic," commented an eleventh, referencing Jackie 'O' Henderson. "Nobody is interested in her nor Harry," added a twelfth.
"Another disaster in the making," wrote a thirteenth. "You can have them, Australia. Don't say we didn't warn you! Here come the grifters!" commented a fourteenth. "This nonsense can't go on, remove their titles. She is making the RF look ridiculous," wrote a fifteenth.
