Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Australia tour featured a range of wardrobe moments from the Duchess, though not every look landed well with fashion watchers—especially one outfit that drew criticism for her footwear.
During a visit to Bondi Beach, the mom of two wore a relaxed ensemble consisting of a blue-and-white striped button-up from Matteau, beige flared jeans from Rolla’s Jeans, and a tan Scanlan Theodore bag. However, it was her white cutout sneakers from Freda Salvador—priced at around $300—that sparked the most debate.
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Meghan Markle's Sneakers Dubbed 'Ugly' By Fashion Critics
The shoes, a casual lace-up style with side cutouts, quickly divided opinion online. Fashion critics on X didn’t hold back in their reactions.
“I hate those shoes!! She wears them all the time, and those cutouts are just ugly!!” one user wrote. Another added, “They’re absolutely disgusting!!!” A third commented, “Last person to advertise shoes. With her size 14, the shoes are enormous & off-putting. Nothing different or outstanding with the clothes too.”
Despite the backlash, the sneakers appear to be a go-to for Meghan. She was also seen wearing them shortly before the beach outing, during the Scar Tree Walk with Prince Harry in Melbourne, Australia, as part of their royal tour.
Fashion aside, Markle and Prince Harry’s Australia trip had already sparked controversy before it even began. Now that their four-day visit has concluded, insiders are describing the tour as underwhelming and pointing to poll results that suggest it did little to shift public opinion.
Sources Reveal Whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Australia Tour Was a Success Or Not
During their April 2026 visit to the country, Harry and Meghan combined philanthropic appearances with commercial and private engagements. It marked their first trip to the nation since 2018. However, a new Roy Morgan poll surveying 1,767 Australians aged 18 and over found that 81% said the visit did not improve their opinion of the couple, while only 19% reported a more favorable view.
A source speaking to RadarOnline said the extensive media coverage did not translate into public support. “There was no shortage of attention on this trip—the tour was widely covered and clearly reached a large audience—but that exposure did not translate into greater support. If anything, it reinforced existing views rather than changing them,” the insider said.
The source also noted ongoing concerns about the couple’s public positioning. “There is a sense that people remain unconvinced by the ‘half-in, half-out’ approach to the royal family. It can appear inconsistent—part royal tour, part commercial venture—and that ambiguity makes it harder for audiences to connect with what Harry and Meghan are trying to do,” they added.
Additional scrutiny emerged online after some of Meghan’s outfits were linked for purchase to a platform in which she reportedly has a financial stake.
A palace source claimed the trip has raised concerns within royal circles, saying, “This feels like one of the clearest indications yet that Harry and Meghan are actively leveraging their royal connections in a commercial context, and it has not gone unnoticed within royal circles. There is genuine concern behind palace doors about how this reflects on the institution as a whole.”
