‘COPYCAT TOUR’ ROW ERUPTS: HARRY AND MEGHAN ACCUSED OF RECREATING WILLIAM AND CATHERINE’S AUSTRALIA PLAYBOOK

A fresh storm has erupted around Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after critics claimed their latest Australia visit bore striking similarities to the iconic tours once led by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

What was intended to be a confident, independent showcase of the Sussexes’ global presence has instead sparked a wave of comparisons — with royal watchers pointing to what they describe as a near mirror-image of William and Catherine’s well-known approach to public engagements.

From walkabouts and crowd interactions to carefully staged photo opportunities, observers say the parallels were impossible to ignore.

“It felt like déjà vu,” one royal commentator noted. “The tone, the structure, even the rhythm of the appearances — it all echoed something we’ve seen before.”

The controversy gathered pace online, where side-by-side clips began circulating within hours. Social media users highlighted similar gestures, comparable settings and even matching camera angles, fuelling accusations that the Sussexes had borrowed heavily from a playbook long associated with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

At the heart of the debate is a question of authenticity.

Supporters of Harry and Meghan argue that royal-style tours naturally follow a familiar format, and that any resemblance is simply a reflection of shared experience within the same institution.

“They’ve both been part of that world,” one source pointed out. “Of course there will be similarities in how they engage with the public.”

But critics see it differently.

“There’s a difference between familiarity and replication,” another insider claimed. “When it starts to look this close, people begin to question whether it’s intentional.”

The issue is particularly sensitive given the long-standing narrative of divergence between the two couples. Since stepping back from royal duties, Harry and Meghan have consistently emphasised their desire to forge a distinct path — one separate from the traditional structures represented by William and Catherine.

That is why, for some observers, the latest comparisons feel especially jarring.

“They’ve spent years positioning themselves as different,” a royal watcher said. “So when their public appearances start to resemble the very model they stepped away from, it raises eyebrows.”

There has been no official response from the Sussexes regarding the claims, and Kensington Palace has also declined to comment. However, the debate shows little sign of slowing, with each new appearance adding fresh material for comparison.

The episode underscores the intense scrutiny surrounding both couples, where even small details can take on outsized significance in the public eye.

In a media environment driven by instant analysis and viral content, perception can quickly become reality — regardless of intent.

Whether the similarities are coincidental, inevitable or carefully considered, the impact is clear: the narrative has shifted.

What was meant to be a showcase of independence has instead become a conversation about influence — and imitation.

And as those comparisons continue to circulate, one thing is certain: the spotlight is no longer just on what Harry and Meghan are doing, but on how closely it resembles what came before.