The backlash intensified after commentator Kinsey Schofield openly criticized the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for the way they handled the trip. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Schofield argued that the couple’s engagements resembled what she described as “rent-a-royal tours,” suggesting that the British royal household is far from pleased with the arrangement.
According to Schofield, the tour appears to ignore the clear stance once set by Queen Elizabeth II, who made it known there would be no “half-in, half-out” arrangement for the Sussexes after they stepped back from official royal duties.
That rule stemmed from Prince Harry and Meghan’s original hope of becoming financially independent while still representing the monarchy in an official capacity. However, that proposal was firmly rejected during the negotiations surrounding their royal exit, often referred to as “Megxit.”
Schofield went on to claim that the Australia visit was less about meaningful public service and more about maintaining royal visibility while generating income. She argued that the couple are leveraging their titles to stay relevant, despite Prince Harry’s reported strained relationship with members of the royal family.
In her view, the broader goal of the tour was both financial and symbolic — to preserve the appearance of royal importance at a time when, she claims, the public has become less interested in Harry and Meghan as media personalities.
Ultimately, Schofield believes the couple’s public value still depends heavily on their connection to the British monarchy, and that these unofficial tours are seen by the royal family as an attempt to capitalize on that association in a way that undermines royal protocol.
