The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, is set to participate in an exclusive "intimate girls' weekend" retreat in Sydney during her upcoming visit to Australia with her husband, Prince Harry, in April. The event, hosted by the Her Best Life podcast, will take place at the luxurious InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach from 17 April, offering attendees a unique blend of meaningful discussions and wellness activities.
Event Details and High Ticket Prices
Organisers have limited the retreat to just 300 participants, with early bird tickets priced at A$2,699, equivalent to approximately £1,440 per person. This package includes two nights' accommodation at the five-star hotel, access to a gala dinner featuring an in-person conversation with Meghan, all meals and alcohol, as well as entry to speaker sessions and wellness programmes. For those seeking an even more premium experience, a VIP package is available at A$3,199, or around £1,707, which grants seating in the front two rows at the gala, a group photograph with the duchess, an exclusive gift bag, and a premium ocean-view room.
Organisers' Vision and Meghan's Involvement
Her Best Life was founded by Australian media personality Jackie "O" Henderson and entrepreneur Gemma O'Neill. O'Neill revealed on the podcast that a mutual friend facilitated the connection with Meghan, who agreed to support the event due to her desire to empower women striving for personal growth and community support. "I've admired this woman, and what she has endured, how she's risen above it, and how she has demonstrated how a woman can be pushed down and she can still rise," O'Neill stated, highlighting Meghan's resilience and inspirational journey.
The retreat promises to be "a girls' weekend like no other," with organisers describing it as an opportunity for women to gather by the ocean for powerful conversations, relaxation, laughter, and unforgettable experiences. It aims to foster a supportive environment where attendees can engage in wellness sessions and social gatherings designed to bring women together.
Broader Australian Tour Context
This Sydney event forms part of a wider visit to Australia by Meghan and Harry scheduled for mid-April, where they will undertake a series of private, business, and philanthropic engagements. Notably, this marks their first trip to the country in over seven years, following their last official royal tour in October 2018, which included the Invictus Games in Sydney and travels across Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand shortly after their wedding.
During the visit, Prince Harry is expected to speak at the InterEdge Psychosocial Safety Summit in Melbourne on 15-16 April, focusing on workplace mental health and wellbeing. Their children, Prince Archie, aged 6, and Princess Lilibet, aged 4, are not anticipated to accompany them on this tour.
Recent Developments and Background
The announcement of the Australian tour comes shortly after Netflix confirmed it had withdrawn from its investment partnership in Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever, allowing the venture to continue independently. Last year, ahead of the release of season two of Meghan's cooking series, With Love, Meghan, Netflix announced a multi-year contract with the couple to create "thoughtful" content, underscoring their ongoing media ventures despite recent changes.
This retreat not only highlights Meghan's commitment to women's empowerment but also adds a significant cultural and social dimension to her and Harry's high-profile return to Australia, blending personal interests with public engagements in a carefully curated itinerary.
