With just a week to go before their Africa tour, Meghan and Harry are already facing tough questions about their first overseas family trip – which some estimate will cost a whopping $2 million.
The couple are set to travel with a 16-strong entourage, and though they will use their own money to pay for Archie’s nanny and Meghan’s hairdresser, as well as their new incoming private secretary, many still wonder why they need five more staffers than William and Kate had when they travelled to Australia in 2014 as a family of three.
Could the extra-large entourage be a failsafe in case staffers threaten to quit mid-tour?
After all, Meghan’s apparent “demanding” and “diva-like” behaviour allegedly
led to the resignation of four aides within six months last year.
Also in striking difference to Prince George’s debut tour, Meghan and Harry seem intent on hiding baby Archie away – further diva behaviour given the roles they play as public figures.
“The couple hope to include [him] at some point,” an insider tells the UK’s ITV, “but it’s difficult to schedule. He’s five months old.”
Though fans are disappointed, rumours of Meghan’s tantrums when she doesn’t get her way have been doing the rounds since she allegedly had a “meltdown” earlier this year, when friends refused to change their phone numbers on her orders.
For much of the tour Harry will be separate from his wife and son, who will remain in South Africa while he visits Botswana, Angola and Malawi.
Many of Meghan’s engagements will reportedly be kept private so they don’t detract from the duke’s work.
