On Wednesday, Prince Harry shared his personal experiences with the challenges of fatherhood during the couple’s quasi-royal visit to Australia, though Meghan Markle was not present for this part of the trip.

The Duke of Sussex addressed attendees at a Movember mental health event held at Whitten Oval, the home ground of the AFL club Western Bulldogs, in Melbourne.

As their privately-funded Australian tour continues, speculation grows regarding the true intent behind Harry and Meghan’s visit, with some suggesting it may be driven by commercial interests.

With his children Archie and Lilibet remaining in Los Angeles, Harry candidly reflected on the difficulties he faced following Archie’s birth in 2019, acknowledging that “at times, it was a struggle.”

He expressed the profound impact of becoming a father, describing it as “the most important and transformational role a guy can ever move into.”

Harry elaborated on the initial challenges, noting, “The role gives you purpose. Those days and weeks after birth are a real struggle. If I was stressed, the moment I held Archie, he would notice it quicker than I could.”

The prince, who stepped back alongside his wife as a working royal in 2020, also spoke openly about attending therapy. 

‘You’re not alone,’ he said in Melbourne. ‘For me, [going to therapy] was a sign of strength, not weakness.

Prince Harry opened up about his struggles with fatherhood on Wednesday as his and Meghan Markle’s pseudo-royal trip Down Under entered its second day

The Duke of Sussex travelled to the home of AFL side Western Bulldogs to attend a Movember event

After speaking about his struggles with fatherhood, Harry was pictured kicking a ball around outside

He appeared in good spirits – but Meghan Markle was nowhere to be seen

The Prince also held up a scarf with the Western Bulldogs’ branding printed across it

‘Don’t ever let yourself get to the point where you are no use to anybody. You want to be the best version of yourself for your kids.’

Harry was pictured getting into the Aussie spirit after his speech as he spent 20 minutes kicking a football around with the Western Bulldogs. 

A crowd of around 100 AFL fans gathered at the Whitten Oval’s entrance for a glimpse of Harry as he departed, but they were left disappointed as the Duke slipped away through a side gate ahead of a trip to Canberra.

Harry boarded a Qantas business class flight to the city’s capital, where his tour Down Under continued with a visit to the Australian War Memorial.

After being welcomed by Indigenous veterans, the 41-year-old took part in wreath-laying and smoking ceremonies before being escorted inside for a private tour of the museum. 

He donned his service medals in the baking Aussie sunshine and appeared in good spirts, with a crowd of locals shouting ‘G’day Harry’ upon his arrival.  

Harry is expected to attend the daily Last Post ceremony at the memorial before delivering a keynote address to the Invictus Australia in Canberra. 

There was, however, no sign of Meghan as mystery mounts over her movements with no events listed today on her official itinerary. 

After landing on a business class flight from LA on Tuesday morning, the Duchess accompanied the Duke on a visit to Melbourne’s children’s hospital to meet cancer patients. 

Later in the day, she went solo as she served frittata at a women’s refuge wearing £1,100 heart earrings, Princess Diana ‘s Cartier watch and a Tiffany gold bracelet before the couple reunited for a family craft session at the National Veterans Arts Museum.

Reports suggest that Meghan could be potentially holding private meetings with potential buyers and partners on Wednesday after her brand As Ever was recently trademarked in Australia. 

The trip marks the couple’s first Down Under since they were newly-weds some eight years ago, though the Sussexes are thought to have been left frustrated by the controversy it has caused. 

Prior to Harry and Meghan even touching down in Melbourne, their visit sparked backlash from local politicians over publicly-funded police protection. 

Meghan and Harry have insisted their trip is privately-funded since they are no longer working royals, but politicians have argued the public should not be paying for their police protection. 

The Duke later boarded a flight to Canberra ready for a visit to the Australian War Memorial

The 41-year-old took part in wreath-laying and smoking ceremonies before being escorted inside for a private tour of the museum

The Duke was welcomed to the site by Indigenous war veterans

There was however no sign of Meghan Markle with no events planned on her itinerary today

Harry was greeted with shouts of ‘G’day’ from locals in Canberra upon his arrival

Harry is expected to attend the daily Last Post ceremony at the memorial before delivering a keynote address to the Invictus Australia

The couple have been accused of using Australia ‘like an ATM’ in remarks which have left Harry and Meghan frustrated, a source told the Daily Mail overnight. 

‘To be fair, they have tried to make the trip mostly about charitable endeavours and limited costs,’ the source said. 

‘Prince Harry has always had an affection for Australia and for a long time felt it was a home away from home, having done his gap year here in his youth. 

‘He in particular is known to keep up with his own press and would be taken aback by some strong reactions in the media and comment sections.’ 

The couple have however appeared relaxed since they arrived on Australian shores, despite some questioning ‘why are they even here?’

Ruptures of applause broke out from a large crowd when they first sighted at the Melbourne children’s hospital, where they spend about 45 minutes talking to children and parents on Tuesday morning. 

During the visit, the Sussexes aides assured onlookers that the Harry and Meghan are laid back about how they are addressed, declaring: ‘Harry and Meghan is fine. They’re pretty relaxed.’ 

Later, the 44-year-old princess insisted crowds ‘call her Meg’ at a women’s refuge where she was pictured serving frittata. 

As they arrived, Australia’s first poet laureate for veterans, Steve Cotterill, asked them: ‘How would you like me to address you?’

Harry shrugged with a smile and said: ‘However you like’ before his wife said: ‘Call me Meg?’

Meghan and Harry arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday aboard a business class flight from Los Angeles

The couple attended the Melbourne children’s hospital where they were greeted by large crowds

During the visit, the Sussexes aides assured onlookers that the Harry and Meghan are laid back about how they are addressed, declaring: ‘Harry and Meghan is fine. They’re pretty relaxed.’

Later in the day, she went solo as she served frittata at a women’s refuge wearing £1,100 heart earrings, Princess Diana ‘s Cartier watch and a Tiffany gold bracelet

Meghan was attending a a family craft session at the National Veterans Arts Museum.

The four-day trip will also see Harry and Meghan attend an Invictus Australia event in Sydney before Meghan stars at the ‘Her Best Life’ retreat at nearby Coogee Beach.

Tickets for the weekend cost up to $3,199 AUD (£1,400) and include a chance to have a photo with the Duchess and ask her questions at a gala dinner in a five-star hotel. Meghan’s fee has been described as a ‘fat one’, and is apparently in the region of $250,000.