According to reports from The Mirror, this guided tour, priced at a hefty £958,000 for a group of six, promises an intimate glimpse into the pair's favorite haunts in their adopted hometown. In a rather extraordinary twist, these tours are being organized by none other than a friend of Meghan's estranged father, the photographer Carl Larson, who claims that Thomas Markle himself has given his blessing.
The tour route includes a road in proximity to the Sussexes' £11 million residence, a visit to Meghan's preferred stores and eateries, and even a stop at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, where the couple shared a memorable moment last year. Additionally, passengers will have the chance to cruise past the homes of other celebrities such as Katy Perry and Cameron Diaz, with future plans to extend the tour to Rosarito and Mexico, offering fans the opportunity to meet Thomas, despite his fallout with Meghan before her 2018 marriage to Harry.
Carl, who had previously hosted a YouTube show with Meghan's father, stated, "I've talked to Thomas about the tour, and he said, 'Oh my God, you might have a winner there.' I've also asked if we could go see him, and he said, 'Hold that thought,' so hopefully one day. I've always thought I could turn what I know about Meghan and Harry into a tour. I'm sure it's interesting to many people."
In a somewhat bizarre parallel development, a YouTuber humorously mentioned plans to arrange a worldwide "privacy tour" bus, poking fun at Harry and Meghan's efforts to maintain their privacy. However, this jest led to backlash, with the YouTuber being reported to the FBI, doxed, and inundated with threats. Ironically, while this was meant in jest, Carl's tour creation has sparked less controversy despite being a tangible venture.
Speculation among royal enthusiasts has led to conjecture that Meghan might have a hand in this tour. One commentator suggested, "Maybe it's another ploy from Meghan, the Sussexes have negotiated a share of the profits of the tour. This is their level of desperation; they must be right now at the bottom of the barrel already." Another commenter speculated that it could be a financial lifeline for the couple.
However, there are skeptics who believe this tour lacks proper planning and execution. One individual pointed out, "It's obvious to me that no market research was done, and no copywriter or marketing or advertising professional was involved."
Upon investigation, it appears that only a few legitimate results are found online for this tour, with the first two being official tours and the third being a link to The Mirror article. The tour is finally found on viator.com's website. Official Hollywood seven-hour tours are typically around $95, making the $1,200 price tag for a group of six seem exorbitant.
Additionally, logistical challenges arise as six full-sized adults can't comfortably fit on the tour. Nevertheless, the tour promises unique stops like touching the grass at the Santa Barbara Polo Club, where Prince William has played Polo, and a visit to Meghan's former school, offering tourists a diverse experience. However, it's worth noting that the tour cost doesn't cover lunch expenses.
