In case you missed it, royal rapscallion and breaker-of-hearts Prince Harry was in Australia last month, during which time he completed his active military service, roped in some crocs, and became an uncle, in any order you like.
According to Fairfax, preliminary cost estimates for Harry’s month-long stay, released late last week, show that the trip will end up costing the taxpayers of our fair nation somewhere in the vicinity of $115,000.
That seems like a pretty decent chunk of change – roughly 958 years of Netflix, or a bit less than half a trip on a yacht with Leonardo DiCaprio – but it’s still way down from last time.
Prince Harry’s previous trip to Australia, which lasted for only two nights, cost the government a fairly eye-watering $150,000 in transport, accommodation, hospitality and tantalysingly vague “other costs.”
This trip, which seems like a bargain by comparison, included $10,000 for accommodation at the Robertson, Swanbourne and Holsworthy Barracks and $4000 for fuel for patrons in the Northern Territory.
Travel expenses came to $13,000 and rations were $1000. $1000 also went towards water and Gatorade for the ginger prince to pour over himself in slow motion during shirtless rest stops “heat safety”.
The biggest expense, $75,940, was for “AME”, which is likely to refer to aero-medical evacuation services, which were on standby during Harry’s visit, but never actually put to use.
Expensive though it may be to have them in the country, Harry and Will appear to be pretty great PR for the royal family.
Earlier today, The Australian ran an interview with Jai Martinkovits, the 28-year-old director of Australians For A Constitutional Monarchy, who claimed that support for a republic is down amongst younger Australians.
While delivering an address to a conference on the monarchy, Martinkovits said that when it comes to polling, “the middle-aged were more supportive of Australia becoming a republic than either the elderly or, surprisingly, the young.”
“Some polling since 2013 indicates that young Australians are now less supportive of a republic than even the elderly,” he continued, noting a “suspicion” among young people of the “political, media and educational establishment” when it comes to republicanism.
While we’re on the subject, it’s neither here nor there, but Prince Harry is probs looking to get married and put a baby in someone soon if you know anybody who might be interested.
Photo: Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images
