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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are forging a new path, walking the line between public service and profit. In 2020, it was revealed that Harry and Meghan could not remain working members of the Royal Family while pursuing independent, income-generating ventures.

When Queen Elizabeth II publicly confirmed the decision, Harry and Meghan issued a statement and said, "We can all live a life of service. Service is universal." Most recently, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent four days in Australia. They conducted engagements that echoed an official royal tour, from hospital visits to moments of remembrance, while also embracing an independent, income-generating model behind their visit.

Commenting on the issue, royal author Valentine Low said: "The monarchy is meant to be above politics and commercial imperatives. This is exactly what the late Queen wanted to avoid."

As reported in People Magazine, a source close to Harry said: "This idea that he's going against the wishes of the Queen by being half in, half out is nonsense. None of this is being done in the name of the institution."

Alongside moments of service in the Australia trip, Harry and Meghan focused on commercial activities. Harry delivered a ticketed keynote speech at the Melbourne InterEdge Summit, where seats initially ran into the thousands, and Meghan made a surprise appearance as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia and a paid appearance at a women's retreat.

As reported by People Magazine, Bedell Smith said: "It was shocking to see her go to the hospital and then sell the clothing she was wearing. I've never seen anybody in the Royal Family do that. I can't imagine it went down well with the palace."

Throughout their visit, Harry and Markle met with veterans' families at the Australian National Veterans' Art Museum and served food at the Homeless Services for Women Centre.

They wrapped up their tour after visiting Canberra and Sydney. The couple last visited Australia during a 2018 royal tour.

For the Sussexes, the only acknowledgement of the business side of the trip came at the bottom of a five-page pre-tour briefing.

It said: "As with many visits of this nature, a small number of private engagements are included to support broader commercial, charitable, and community objectives."