Bronte Coy, a reporter for news.com.au, spoke on The Sun's Royal Exclusive podcast about the atmosphere surrounding the couple’s engagements and how their interactions appeared behind the scenes.
Coy explained that while much of the trip was presented publicly as a philanthropy-focused visit, it also included several private engagements across different Australian cities. During the tour, the couple visited places such as Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne and Bondi Beach. Harry also made a solo appearance at the Australian War Memorial, while the pair later attended an Invictus Australia sailing event on Sydney Harbour. Meghan separately appeared on MasterChef Australia, an appearance that drew significant public attention.
Reflecting on the tour, Coy noted that Prince Harry appeared comfortable and energized throughout the engagements, suggesting that he seemed genuinely at ease carrying out royal-style duties, even though the tour itself was not an official royal visit.
When speaking about Meghan, however, Coy said her impression was quite different. She explained that despite spending several days observing Meghan’s public appearances, she felt that Meghan remained extremely guarded throughout the trip. According to Coy, Meghan maintained a carefully controlled public image at all times, which made it difficult to get a sense of her authentic personality behind the scenes.
Coy described this polished consistency as both fascinating and surprising, saying Meghan’s “mask never slipped” during the entire visit. She suggested that this level of control mirrored the kind of royal role the couple had once envisioned before stepping away from royal duties.
Despite expecting moments of tension during the visit, Coy admitted that the couple received an overwhelmingly warm welcome from the Australian public. She observed that crowds were enthusiastic and eager to see them, much like the reactions they often received in the United Kingdom.
In the end, Coy said the contrast between the couple’s polished public appearances and the intense public debate surrounding them was what stood out most, making the entire experience both impressive and, at times, unexpected.
