The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is scheduled to appear as a special guest speaker at a high-end, women-only weekend retreat in Sydney this April, during a visit to Australia with her husband, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. The three-day event, organized by the "Her Best Life" podcast founded by Gemma O'Neill and well-known Australian celebrity Jackie "O" Henderson, offers tickets starting at A$2,699 (approximately £1,400) per person, with VIP packages priced around A$3,200 (£1,700). The retreat is marketed as "a girls' weekend like no other" and will be held at a five-star hotel at Coogee Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Meghan's participation includes delivering a speech at a gala dinner, with VIP ticket holders granted front-row seating and an opportunity for a group photograph with the Duchess. The retreat's itinerary features a range of activities aimed at personal development and leisure, including talks by a psychologist, yoga sessions, sound healing, a disco, and meditation and manifestation workshops. Organizers describe it as an "unforgettable weekend for women ready to reconnect, recharge and have some serious fun."
This announcement comes shortly after Meghan's lifestyle brand, As ever, reportedly ended its partnership with streaming giant Netflix. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had signed a lucrative deal with Netflix in 2020, purportedly worth about $100 million (£75 million), to produce content for the platform. However, Meghan's lifestyle and cookery show, "With Love, Meghan," which ran for two series and a Christmas special, allegedly failed to achieve significant audience traction, leading to questions about the couple's commercial ventures post-royalty.
Gemma O'Neill, a former staffer for actress Nicole Kidman, confirmed Meghan's involvement on her podcast, stating that the Duchess "really loves what our community is about which is women trying to grow and be their best selves." The interactive segment with Meghan will be conducted as a "fireside chat," allowing for an intimate Q&A format. A spokesperson for the Sussexes indicated that their upcoming trip to Australia will encompass "private, business and philanthropic engagements," marking their first visit to the country since 2018.
The couple's previous Australian tour in October 2018, as newly married senior royals, was widely regarded as a public relations success, featuring events such as a visit to Bondi Beach and Prince Harry climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison. However, their circumstances have drastically changed since then: in 2020, they stepped back from royal duties and relocated to the United States, citing family tensions and intense media scrutiny. Last year, Prince Harry publicly addressed his strained relationship with his father, King Charles III, expressing a desire for reconciliation with the Royal Family, amidst ongoing speculation about their roles and financial independence.
Source: www.bbc.com