Meghan Markle to Headline Exclusive Women's Retreat in Sydney
The enthusiastic organiser of a 'girls weekend' retreat in Australia, which Meghan Markle is scheduled to headline, has revealed that the Duchess of Sussex is eagerly anticipating 'real woman-to-woman chats' at the premium £1,400-per-person event. Prince Harry and Meghan are preparing for a tour of Australia next week, with planned visits to Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney. During their Sydney stop, Meghan will take centre stage at a women-only three-day retreat organised by the Her Best Life podcast, hosted by Australian presenter Jackie 'O' Henderson and her manager Gemma O'Neill.
Event Details and Premium Pricing
The retreat promises a comprehensive programme including yoga sessions, sound healing, meditation, a psychologist-led workshop, a disco evening, and a 'fireside chat' question-and-answer session with Meghan, accompanied by a gala dinner that she will attend. Standard tickets are priced at approximately £1,400, while premium packages offering more direct access to the Duchess can cost up to £2,000. Around 300 guests are expected to attend the three-day event, with the website indicating that ticket allocation has been 'exhausted,' though separate claims suggest not all tickets have been sold yet.
Organiser's Gushing Praise for Meghan
Ahead of the retreat, which begins on April 17, organiser Gemma O'Neill shared an update with her followers about her recent conversation with Meghan. She said, 'I've literally just got off the phone with Meghan... It couldn't have been any more real and she was just so divine and so beautiful. I just immediately loved chatting to her she was just amazing and I just adore already and I'm so excited for those who are joining us in our community next weekend to have the opportunity to experience how brilliant she is as well.' O'Neill added that Meghan is 'really looking forward to it and she can't wait to be in a room with our community and great women and she was just like "let's just have a real chat. Let's just woman-to-woman let's go for it".' In her enthusiastic video, O'Neill declared herself Meghan's 'biggest fan.'
Venue and Financial Arrangements
The event will be held at the Inter Continental Sydney Coogee Beach, where room rates typically range from £250 to £450 per night. The relatively inexpensive hotel component is understood to be included in the ticket price, meaning the remaining cost is likely to benefit Meghan and the event organisers. This commercial venture comes as the Sussexes embark on a tour that resembles a royal visit in many aspects, despite no longer representing the British Royal Family since stepping back in 2020 and relocating to California.
Australian Tour Itinerary and Public Funding Concerns
Leaked documents, described as 'Operational Planning Notes' shared with select media and written by the couple's new PR chief Liam Maguire, outline an itinerary featuring stops in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney. The documents emphasise that Australian taxpayers will not be funding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's trip, following a petition signed by over 35,000 Australians in March demanding no public money be spent on their visit. The official four-day itinerary, starting next Tuesday, notably excludes Meghan's appearance at the 'Her Best Life' retreat, suggesting the Sussexes are keeping 'pseudo royal' engagements separate from Meghan's commercial lifestyle ventures.
Joint and Solo Engagements Planned
Harry and Meghan will make joint appearances focusing on veterans and mental health, including a visit to a children's hospital and an Invictus Australia event on Sydney Harbour. Meghan will also undertake a solo visit to a women's homelessness shelter, while Harry will attend an AFL club in Melbourne and a rugby union match in Sydney. Harry is expected to make a brief visit to Canberra without his wife, though specific dates and times are not disclosed for security reasons.
Organiser's Background and Recent Activity
In her video previewing the event, Gemma O'Neill thanked fans for their support, mentioning she 'had a bit of retreating I guess I'd say while I'm processing a few personal things.' This follows O'Neill wiping her Instagram page in March and going underground. The talent manager, whose main client is radio star Jackie 'O' Henderson, recently faced financial difficulties after her Gemmie Agency was liquidated. Her primary Instagram account @gemmyjean has since been deleted, but the account for the Her Best Life podcast remains active, likely to promote the upcoming retreat with the Duchess of Sussex.
