😂 “Damnn, what’s going on?” — Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hit Bondi — but one woman’s reaction completely stole the show

Love them or hate them – and let’s face it, rarely is there an in-between – Prince Harry and Meghan are two of the world’s most talked-about people.

So after almost a decade covering the royals, and after years of controversy following their royal exit, my curiosity was firmly piqued in the countdown to their arrival in Australia.

In 2018, I followed their previous tour, watching as they were greeted like rock stars by crowds of thousands everywhere they went. As newlyweds, they were seen as the exciting and progressive face of the new royal era.

It had been nearly eight years since that trip. This time, the backdrop had changed significantly – they were coming as private citizens, not representatives of the monarchy, and it was off the back of a bruising few years for the pair.

After all of the headlines, and the interviews, and the stoushes with both the press and Harry’s own family, what would be the dynamic of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2026?

At the end of four straight days with front-row seats to the whole operation, here’s what I’ve gleaned.

‘On the brink of divorce – or never happier’

The most common question I received, literally dozens of times, over the past week was about Harry and Meghan’s dynamic.

It’s understandable: depending on which publications you read, the pair are either on the brink of divorce or have never been happier together.

“Are they in love?” people questioned, over and over again.

Sadly, press access to cover a royal tour does not include an invitation to join their downtime behind closed doors (just imagine), nor did either of them strike up a conversation with me about their feelings towards their spouse, so obviously I can’t possibly answer that question.

But I can say this: the royal couple have long been known for their public affection, particularly during previous engagements and tours when they were still working for the Palace. That has not changed. The pace was frantic, and the environments intense, but the couple was often holding hands when the circumstances allowed, or throwing each other quick smiles from opposite sides of the room.

Meghan and Harry chatting with lifeguards in Bondi on Friday. Picture: Supplied/Bronte Coy

The Harry show

The fundamental detail of their actual roles was clearly the biggest difference between the 2018 tour and this visit, but there was another, more subtle shift that I noticed from the moment they arrived at their first engagement.

Last time, I noticed the confident and newly-minted duchess was often leading the charge, usually guiding Harry as they met with members of the public and local dignitaries, her hand pictured on his back as they moved through their paces.

Because it’s been so long since Aussies have seen Harry in action, and with so many negative headlines and a combative relationship with the press in recent years, it’s easy to forget just how good he is at the job of being a royal.

As the tour began to unfold, I saw plenty of coverage of how it was already the “Meghan” show here in Australia. Certainly, from a PR perspective, there’d clearly been a lot of planning into the rollout of her various new ventures: a new fashion website collaboration, her MasterChef role, the highly-publicised paid speaking appearance at a Sydney women’s wellness retreat.

Yet even so, this time around and on the ground, it actually felt like the spotlight was more on Harry.

There was an effortlessness to his presence as he tonally shifted between meeting sick young patients at the children’s hospital in Melbourne, to war veterans in Canberra, to cheeky lifeguards at Bondi Beach.

He appeared completely at ease for hours on end as he bantered with locals, regularly tried out his (fairly impressive) Aussie accent, and listened carefully to difficult stories.

Like his father and brother, Harry spent his life in training for a royal career – and despite quitting the job he was born into, it’s very evidently still firmly ingrained.

He appeared completely at ease at every step of the tour. Picture: Supplied/Bronte Coy

On the flip side, Meghan’s background as an actress always meant she wouldn’t struggle with the spotlight. I’ve been an entertainment journalist for a decade, and the Hollywood set always knows how to tick all the boxes when it comes to getting the job done – and nail the photo opportunities.

Meghan is no different, and I suppose it’s only natural that she’d employ that skill set when being followed around by a press pack, laden with cameras, scrutinising her every move.

But what really struck me this week is just how much that careful, practised sheen appears in contrast to that of her husband’s public demeanour.

Either Harry’s a better actor than his wife (and given how often we’ve seen – for better or worse – his true emotions on display in difficult moments recently, that seems highly unlikely), or he’s simply much more at ease showcasing his authentic self while out in the public domain.

Watching Meghan in proximity for four days, I didn’t see the mask slip even once. Technically, she hit all the steps and nailed the brief of hitting all the marks listed in her detailed itinerary, and every photo opportunity was delivered successfully.

But when people have repeatedly asked me, “what’s she really like?”, there’s only one answer: I still have absolutely no idea.

Meghan delivered a very polished performance. Picture: Supplied/Bronte Coy

‘Call me Meg’

Of all the moments in the With Love, Meghan Netflix series, arguably the one that caused the biggest stir was the duchess’ offhand remark to actress Mindy Kaling after she repeatedly referred to her as “Meghan Markle” on screen.

“It’s so funny you keep calling me Meghan Markle,” she said. “You know it’s Meghan Sussex now.”

And last year, a profile in Harper’s Bazaar sparked something of a firestorm after the journalist revealed that she had been introduced using her “Duchess of Sussex” title to an otherwise empty room by a housekeeper at a friend’s house.

It was just another twist in the ongoing debate about whether she and Harry should have been forced to relinquish their titles when they quit official duties – and what she should now be known as.

As hundreds of people, including staff, lined up waiting to meet Harry and Meghan on day one of their visit last Tuesday, a few anxiously asked their aides what they should call the pair. Should they use their titles?

“Harry and Meghan is fine,” a staffer said, adding that the couple was “relaxed” about the protocol.

Later, during a visit to the Australian National Veterans’ Art Museum, the couple was again asked how people should refer to them.

“Just call me Meg,” Meghan responded.

The couple are “relaxed” about titles – at least, according to their staff. Picture: Supplied/Bronte Coy

Deemed a ‘success’

Another question put to me repeatedly in the lead-up to, and during, the visit was on whether Harry and Meghan would be able to win over – or win back – Australia.

For their fans, everything they do only bolsters their admiration. For their critics, the exact opposite. From my close position at the scene, I watched on as they were warmly embraced by everyone they met. There was a feeling of overwhelming positivity at every step along the way.

On that front, and as their team later made clear, it felt like a major success. No heckling, no awkward moments – they’d executed the multi-stop, jam-packed itinerary with precision.

A source close to the Sussexes told news.com.au that after it was all wrapped up, the feeling was that it “couldn’t have gone better”.

However, their very presence here, effectively as half-in, half-out royals, further inflamed their critics and threw kindling on the burning fire of debate over whether or not they should retain titles while not working for the monarchy.

Sussex critics and fans alike were never going to be swayed in the opposite direction by anything that happened during this visit.

Instead, it’s really only those who have previously been fairly indifferent to the Sussexes that they needed to impress.

Have they achieved it?

With heavy speculation that Meghan will be expanding her brand, As Ever, into the Aussie market in the near future, that question may be answered in the form of cold, hard cash.

Either way, six years on from their royal exit, they’ve just delivered a blueprint for the model of royal life they’d always wanted: philanthropy, with the ability to make money.

Off the back of this closely-watched visit, where that takes them next is set to prove very interesting.