Security arrangements also drew attention during the recent Australian visit.
Harry remains involved in an ongoing legal dispute in Britain over the removal of his publicly funded police protection after he and Meghan stepped down as senior royals in 2020.
While the couple said they were privately funding their Australian security, local police confirmed additional operations had been put in place during their stay, prompting a huge public outcry.
Sources added that Markle remains determined to present the trip as a success despite it being slammed as a “fake royal” tour.
“Behind the polished smiles and carefully managed public appearances, Meghan and Harry were under enormous pressure before this Australia trip even began,” the insider explained.
“They both understood that every handshake, speech, facial expression, and crowd reaction would be analyzed internationally within minutes, not just by the media but by royal watchers, critics, and even people inside palace circles who remain deeply skeptical of them. There was a real sense within their team that the stakes could not have been much higher.
“They know there are powerful voices actively hoping the visit goes badly because it would reinforce the narrative that they cannot successfully operate outside the monarchy. That created huge anxiety privately, even if outwardly they tried to appear relaxed and self-assured.”
The insider said, “For Meghan and Harry, this was never just another overseas engagement – it became a referendum on whether they can continue building a global public identity that mirrors royal service while remaining completely independent of the royal institution. Australia, because of its historic connection to the monarchy and the Sussexes’ previous success there, was viewed as the ultimate ground to prove their worth.”