I've gained a new respect for Harry and Meghan after their Australian visit this week.

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From what I saw of Prince Harry at the Australian War Memorial, he was respectful and composed when needed and friendly and down-to-earth when he was with his people - veterans and their families.

I expected him to be a little bowed after more than six years of relentless criticism since he and Meghan decided in January 2020 to "step back as 'senior members' of the British royal family and work to become financially independent".

But he wasn't cowered at all. He was tall, straight-backed, looking confident in his own skin.

The four-day visit was privately funded. Yes, some police resources were used at some events. There was a smattering of officers at the war memorial. That also happens for much more minor royalty who visit the national capital and make the obligatory stop at the war memorial, and no one gives a fig then.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in Australia to support causes close to their heart, such as veterans and also mental health, but also to make some money.

Why do people get so het up about that?

It's not like they were selling tea towels of themselves out the front of the war memorial. The commercial opportunities haven't been hidden and they've been kept separate from the more ceremonial and community events.

It's supply and demand, baby

Meghan and Harry are on the open market. It's supply and demand, baby. If people want to, they'll pay to see them. If people want to, they'll pay to have them associated with their brand. If they don't, they won't. Simples.

Meghan's big paid appearance was at the Her Best Life Retreat in Sydney, a "girls' weekend like no other". She was to appear at a Q and A session. That's all. The organisers never promised she was going to have a sleepover and braid everyone's hair.

The most expensive ticket to the whole weekend was $3199 which included two nights' accommodation, various inclusions and a group table photo with Meghan. No one was tied down and forced to pay.

Channel 10 confirmed Meghan did her spot on MasterChef Australia as a guest judge for free. (She was filming in Melbourne on the day Harry was in Canberra.) The new season of the show starts on 10 on Sunday. with Meghan's episode to screen "later in season".

I will 1000 per cent be turning in. After all the flak Meghan's copped for her cooking shows and As Ever brand of jams et al, I want to see how she interacts with the amateur cooks; what her take on the dishes will be. But, if you don't want to watch, then don't.

A statement from the MasterChef Australia judges Poh Ling Yeow, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli, was effusive about the Duchess.

"Having Meghan in the MasterChef kitchen with us was such a treat," the said.

"She was a complete delight and was right at home. Introducing her to the contestants was like the best kind of surprise party - jaws were on the floor.

"The Duchess put us all at ease very quickly, learning about our home cooks through their food, and happily sharing her passion and knowledge for produce, cooking and entertaining with us all. We'd have her back in a heartbeat."

Harry takes back some control

And after years of being pushed around by the media, it was kind of satisfying to see Prince Harry gain some control over the coverage. He engaged a Sydney public relations company, GoodPR, to wrangle the media for this visit.

Unlike the usual royal tours, the local media didn't have to fill out 47 pages of documentation with the likes of PM&C with the hope of securing one spot to cover one aspect of one event. No - just send in your name and position and you could cover all the events, no worries.

The visit to the war memorial deliberately flew under the radar. If people were there and happened to see Prince Harry, all good. His team wanted an "orderly" visit to this solemn place, especially for the moving Last Post ceremony. Prince Harry toured inside the war memorial without the usual trail of media. He did it in his own time, at his own pace, with the thoughtfulness of someone who had served.

It was another example that since their seismic decision to go their own way, Harry and Meghan are no longer subject to the royal rota.

Under this system, UK media gain exclusive access to the official engagements of members of the royal family, as long as the photos, interviews and footage are shared with other media in a pool arrangement.

It means the royal family has to play nice with the media, turn up and smile at events and offer up images of their personal moments and milestones first to the mainstream media, which, in turn, profit from that access.

Well, not Harry and Meghan, any more. They'll post on their socials, when they like and how they like, thanks very much. They'll organise their own events for causes they want to promote. They'll make their own decisions. It all seems very mature.

Harry and Meghan are navigating a new way and, in the end, we can take it or leave it. It's entirely up to us.

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