Harry & Meghan: Tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand - October 2018

[Osipi]

Harry and Meghan are masters at the art of stealth flying under the radar. Remember when they took us so much by surprise that they had spent so much time together getting to know each other without anyone being on to them?

If they don't want to be seen, they won't.

[jacqui24]

I suppose the Australian media wasn't given access. I know the British weren't going to get access during that time. Leaving NZ was easy since they were using the Air Force jet. But I believe it a commercial flight back from Australia. Some of the British press had already left by that point to catch C&C in Africa.

[Terri Terri]

Maybe Harry and Meghan did it that way so as not to detract from the arrival in Africa of Charles and Camilla.

[AlowVera]

Originally Posted by Terri Terri

Maybe Harry and Meghan did it that way so as not to detract from the arrival in Africa of Charles and Camilla.

This it was so that Charles can have maximum coverage and attention to his tour.


I hope they have time to relax. Harry's next engagement is on the 8th.

[Dman]

The whole trip was a major success. I know it must’ve left the couple pretty tired. Hopefully they’re at home getting some good rest before they start up official engagements again.

[Fros]

It's cute that the couple is trying to post pictures they took on the tour to KP social media but neither of them are good photographers so we get low quality terrible pictures where the only good thing about the picture is that Harry or Meghan personally took them.

I wish they would just pose for a picture taken by a KP professional photographers

[Dman]

Harry shares a special picture he took of his wife, Meghan-
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...w-Zealand.html

[Curryong]

That's very sweet and I'm glad they were taking snaps of each other on the tour, even if the standard of the photography isn't the best! In spite of the rush and all the engagements in the 16 days they now have some wonderful memories of a Royal tour they can store up and share together.

They are probably home now and putting their feet up. Harry might be making Meghan a cup of tea! I'm glad Harry's doing the field of remembrance on the eighth and they will almost certainly both be there on Remembrance Sunday. Are the doing the Royal Variety Show as well? Don't want them completely disappearing!

[Zaira]

Originally Posted by Curryong

That's very sweet and I'm glad they were taking snaps of each other on the tour, even if the standard of the photography isn't the best! In spite of the rush and all the engagements in the 16 days they now have some wonderful memories of a Royal tour they can store up and share together.

They are probably home now and putting their feet up. Harry might be making Meghan a cup of tea! I'm glad Harry's doing the field of remembrance on the eighth and they will almost certainly both be there on Remembrance Sunday. Are the doing the Royal Variety Show as well? Don't want them completely disappearing!

I certainly hope they don't! While this was a big tour, they do need to get used to a more constant rate of work. Meghan being pregnant shouldn't impact them doing regular engagements frequently too much IMO (barring a medical reason a la Kate). Harry especially needs to up his engagements.

AFAIK, this year is Harry's "year" for the RVS show so I do expect to see them! Plus I think the cast of Hamilton is performing? Or Kingdom Choir (possibly both).

[Fros]

Apologies if this article has been posted fore but this is the royal tour by numbers in social media

https://wwd.com/business-news/media/...ns-1202895984/

31.4 million social media interactions, 211,400 mentions (25,900 on the first day alone) —This is the #royaltour by the numbers.

I think it's important to remember the baby announcement did likely bump up these numbers quite a bit and we don't have information like this on other royal tour to compare the success simply by the number but the tour reached out to far more people than some people would like to believe. One article even stated Bondi beach was trending worldwide.

I must say the British media has hardly been forthcoming with praise for this tour.

[HereditaryPrincess]

I love the photo that Harry took of Meghan!
This tour has been fantastic and it seems like it's been a big success. It was quite hard to keep up with the tour sometimes because the Sussexes were doing so much; but it was wonderful to see more of them together. I hope they're resting right now!

[soapstar]

I’ve moved the discussion about the media and their coverage of this tour/relationship with the royal family. The discussion is in the ‘Royal Family and the Media’ thread. As of now, the media thread is currently closed.

If you wish to discuss Harry and Meghan’s upcoming events, please take it or their respective threads.

[XeniaCasaraghi]

Originally Posted by Fros

.

I must say the British media has hardly been forthcoming with praise for this tour.

Do they ever praise anyone in the BRF? I suspect they are still irritated about Harry's letter.
But nothing is going to change because their behavior is rewarded.
I for one wondered if Megan has given more speeches in these past few weeks than I have heard from other royal ladies around her age in the BRF, but I don't watch their movements enough to know for sure.

[Fros]

Originally Posted by XeniaCasaraghi

Do they ever praise anyone in the BRF? I suspect they are still irritated about Harry's letter.
But nothing is going to change because their behavior is rewarded.
I for one wondered if Megan has given more speeches in these past few weeks than I have heard from other royal ladies around her age in the BRF, but I don't watch their movements enough to know for sure.

I believe I worded that incorrectly. Usually after tours there are some nice in-depth articles analyzing the tour both the good and the bad. I feel there is a lack of such article especially keeping in mind this is not only the Sussexes first major tour but also one of the largest tours taken by the KP royals and by most accounts a resounding success.

I am sure some of it is a result of some royal reporters being away on C&C's tour but it does seem a bit like the British press are just dumping/burrying the tour the moment it is over.

For those asking about the Sussexes leaving NZ. Here is the video of the Sussexes motorcade arriving at the airport to fly back to the UK. No pictures of the couple as the motorcade went straight to the operational area closed to the public

https://i.stuff.co.nz/auckland/10828...-four-day-tour

[acnd08]

Originally Posted by HereditaryPrincess

I love the photo that Harry took of Meghan!
This tour has been fantastic and it seems like it's been a big success. It was quite hard to keep up with the tour sometimes because the Sussexes were doing so much; but it was wonderful to see more of them together. I hope they're resting right now!

I agree! I thought it was very sweet and also that they shared it. It's those type things that make them more relatable, IMO. They seem so excited about their little bundle and it's adorable.

[Fros]

Some more articles about the tour

This one is by Emily Andrews about Meghan, the tour down under and the commonwealth.

It also unfortunately makes a few references to the Markles and has a blurb making comparisons to Kate.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/764010...mpression=true

It also mentions Harry's grumpy face during ceremonies But I agree with other posters in the board the his resting face or "serious face" is being misinterpreted as grumpy.

This one by Russell myers at the mirror.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-new...front-13521588

"This is a new era for "The Firm" - as the Royal Family is known to insiders - and the Sussexes are at the forefront of that revolution. Young, popular, environmentally conscious, they are not afraid to speak their minds."

[jacqui24]

I do feel some of the comments about Harry looking bored or grumpy is quite unfair. There is a time for everything, and that's him being serious and respectful of his hosts in ceremony part of his job. It'd be quite rude for him to act the same way as he does on a walkabout where he is supposed to be more relaxed and greet the people that came out to see him. A lot of the ceremonies are more formal and at times solemn.

I thought he handled both types of situation very appropriately. I don't think he's being given the fair credit for the statesman he's showing himself to be on this trip. Are there small things to improve? Sure. But overall, he did great, not just with the everyday people, but in some situations that can be quite sensitive.

[Osipi]

What came to mind for me, jacqui, when you were talking about the different demeanors that Harry presents for different occasions when they're called for put me in mind of a specific occasion where it was very bluntly proven.

It was a photo op when the then President of the United States and his First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama were having a visit with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry at Kensington Palace. We all remember that occasion as Prince George of Cambridge was present in his pajamas and bathrobe and photographed with the rocking horse the Obamas had gifted to the little prince.

What stood out for me was the quip made by little George. "Why is Uncle Harry being so quiet?". That's it in a nutshell. Harry knows very well how to act as different occasions call for. Harry as an uncle on private time is rambunctious with the kids. Harry on walkabout is about the people and interacting with them. Harry as a more "official prince" knows how to present himself as such.

This tells me that Harry and Meghan's child will grow up from early on to know when to use the "inside" voice and "outside" voice and to use the "on display" voice (or demeanor). Charlotte already has this down pat if you ask me.

[Dman]

I hope they had a nice trip home. They flew out yesterday.

[Terri Terri]

if they left New Zealand on Thursday afternoon, I don't think they would have arrived back in the UK as yet, right?