Prince Harry
Prince Harry's trip to Australia in 2003 wasn't well-received. Pictured: Prince Harry addresses the audience on stage on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation, alongside the show's producer and cast members, during a gala performance of 'Bat Out Of Hell - The Musical', in support of the Invictus Games Foundation at Dominion Theatre on December 6, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images/Chris Jackson-WPA Pool

Prince Harry’s trip to Australia during his gap year didn’t receive as much positive reaction from fans unlike his recent visit with Meghan Markle.

Katie Nicholl, the author of “William and Harry,” discussed the Duke of Sussex’s trip in 2003 and said that Prince Harry was criticized for his alcohol-fueled start to the summer. And the republican movement was also outraged over the cost of his trip to the country.

“TV and radio stations were inundated with calls from angry members of the public demanding to know why they were forcing footing the £250,000 (over $330,000) bill for Harry’s round-the-clock security. The palace insisted that 12 full-time protection officers together with the state police were necessary to protect the prince,” she said.

Just nine years before Prince Harry’s trip to Sydney, Prince Charles was also shot by a student who fired a pistol at the future King. Luckily, he missed. This is the main reason why the palace didn’t want to take any risks during Prince Charles’ youngest son’s trip.

However, Professor John Warhorse, the chairman of the Australian Republic Movement, called Prince Harry’s visit to Australia a waste of money. While in Australia, Prince Harry worked on a cattle station in the Australian outback. He also spent his gap year in Africa before going to Sandhurst military academy.

Meanwhile, the Royals developed a positive relationship with the Australians in 2014 after Prince William and Kate Middleton decided to take their eldest son, Prince George, during their official tour. Australians dubbed the third in line to the throne as the Republican slayer because he saved the monarchy from destruction.

Royal expert Robert Jobson said in the documentary “William & Kate: The Journey,” that Prince George’s first royal tour was a huge success. Prior to the trip, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were reportedly nervous because they didn’t know how the public will react to their decision to bring their son.

But to their surprise, Prince George was received so well in the country. The adorable 5-year-old was even gifted with a stuffed animal.

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