Security expert reveals strict protection measures for visit such as Harry and Meghan’s 2026 trip to Australia

Harry and Meghan’s trip to Australia next week will likely involve a meticulously choreographed security effort, including sweeps for listening devices and bodyguards following them during every stage of their visit, an expert has revealed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will touch down in Australia next week for the first time since 2018, marking their only visit since their controversial departure from royal duties.

While the couple once enjoyed the perks of taxpayer-funded royal protection officers, the security costs for their four-day visit to Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra will be privately-funded.

Zero Risk security specialist Tony Loughran said, while Harry and Meghan now had to “fend for themselves”, little will be left to chance with their security arrangements, with plans taking place well in advance.

Mr Loughran, who has worked with a counter terrorism team and once provided security for Princess Diana during her infamous Martin Bashir interview, has given insight into what may be involved with keeping the couple safe during their trip down under.

Meghan and Harry are due to visit Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney next week, driven by Meghan’s appearance at the women-only Her Best Life wellness retreat at a Coogee Beach hotel from April 17 to 19.

Meanwhile, Harry is due to speak about workplace mental health at Melbourne’s InterEdge Summit on April 15-16 and a trip to a homeless shelter, a visit to a Melbourne AFL club and a rugby union match are also reportedly on the cards.

Harry will reportedly make a solo trip to Canberra but the Sussex’s children Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, are not joining them in Australia.

Mr Loughran said in the days leading up to the events, security teams, guided by their security heads in the US, will visit each of the venues, plotting out the quickest routes to avoid any waiting crowds or press.

“They’ll be looking for the way in, way out, staff, car park arrangements, airport access. They’ll be looking for the easiest access to avoid the paparazzi, where the roadworks and building sites will be and the best route to get from A to B,” Mr Loughran said.

Floor plans of every building the pair are due to visit will be studied and hotel security bosses will be briefed on their plans, offering quick escape routes if the couple’s safety is put at risk.

“If there’s any particular animosity they’ll have a plan B and a plan C to get them out of there,” he said.

Mr Loughran said security would comb every hotel room and vehicle for listening devices and security personnel would track the couple closely until the second they had locked the door on their room, remaining outside the room at all times.

Bodyguards would be present throughout the hotels, with each having studied pre-prepared details of “fixated individuals” — anyone who might try and get close to the couple, including press.

In a far cry from Meghan and Harry’s 2018 royal tour, the couple find themselves on the nose with some monarchists, amid their controversial Oprah Winfrey interview in which they took aim at their royal relatives.

Information could come out about both of them, they say something ... and that makes them a target

While the couple’s popularity has slid in the past eight years, Mr Loughran said Australia remained a relatively low threat to the couple.

“What they should have done is tapped any security intelligence they can and tell whether they heard any chatter over whether there’s going to be any demonstrations or plan to disrupt the events,” he said.

“I’d say it (their visit) is medium to high risk. I’ve not received any intel to say they’re a target. However that could change, information could come out about both of them, they say something ... and that makes them a target.”

The couple are not planning any royal-style walkabout during their visit, but Mr Loughran said security staff would be watching for any gifts offered to the couple by fans.

Anything given to them, he said, would be swiftly taken away to avoid contamination or any risk from items hidden inside.

Despite their visit being strictly managed, online trolls have threatened to disrupt Meghan’s wellness retreat appearance, saying they will secretly record the event using meta glasses and hidden cameras

“I hatched a plan with a friend who lives in Sydney to attend the best life weekend, they have been accepted & has a spot secured Good luck figuring out who it is, Meghan,” one person wrote on X.

The “intimate” wellness experience has been sold to a capped 300 guests, with tickets costing over $1,900 to more than $3,000.

Organisers have not responded to questions on how they plan to address the threats, but are clearly keeping a close eye on the guest list.

On Thursday, it was revealed a 7NEWS journalist had been refunded her ticket because of her media links.

The full itinerary for the retreat has also been kept a closely guarded secret until days before due to “security requirements”.

A spokesperson for NSW Police said the force would not comment on any security arrangements or operational police activity relating to the Sussex’s visit.