Meghan Markle's Lucrative Sydney Retreat Amid Tour Controversy
Meghan Markle is poised to appear at an exclusive Sydney women's retreat charging £1,700 per head, with potential earnings reaching £130,000. This event caps a controversial final day of the Duchess of Sussex's Australian tour with Prince Harry, marked by emotional encounters with survivors of the Bondi terrorist attack.
Emotional Encounters and Security Concerns
On a day where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met survivors of the December Bondi terrorist attack, Meghan will later connect with women paying $3,200 for VIP photos at the Her Best Life retreat at Coogee's InterContinental Hotel. Earlier, the couple sailed around Sydney Harbour, posing for selfies near the Opera House under police supervision.
Prince Harry displayed protective instincts, moving away a camera crew that came too close, following an incident where he appeared angered by someone blocking Meghan's path for a selfie. The couple received custom Invictus Australia-branded flip-flops, with Harry's inscribed 'G'day Hazza' and Meghan's 'G'day Megs'.
Meeting Bondi Attack Survivors
At Bondi Beach, Harry embraced a man wearing beachball-patterned budgie smugglers before the couple met survivors of the 2025 terrorist attack. They spoke with Jessica Chapnik Kahn, who shielded her five-year-old daughter during the attack that claimed 15 lives on December 14.
Ms Chapnik Kahn described meeting the couple as an 'honour', emphasizing: 'The greater problem in the world right now is hate. Hate is a human problem that we're facing, a very big problem. So to highlight that, to be able to connect with them on this heart level, I think is very special.'
She recounted hiding with her daughter during the attack, whispering: 'My darling, go inside yourself where all the love is, and stay there. Stay in your heart, my baby.' They survived by remaining in that 'heart space in the middle of horror'.
Tour Activities and Public Reactions
Meghan began her Sydney visit with a coastal walk alongside friend Markus Anderson, protected by NSW Police officers. The Sussexes later prepared at their hotel for evening engagements, including a Super Rugby game between the NSW Waratahs and Moana Pasifika at Allianz Stadium.
Despite claims of private funding for their 2026 trip, controversy has erupted over Australian taxpayers covering some police security costs. Tens of thousands have signed petitions demanding the Sussexes pay all expenses, with critics accusing them of treating Australia 'like an ATM'.
Detailed Itinerary and Gifts
The couple's schedule included:
- Sailing with Invictus Australia supporters on Sydney Harbour
- Meeting veteran Joel Vanderzwan, who gifted the personalized flip-flops
- Dancing with Vanderzwan's four-year-old daughter Charlotte
- Visiting Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club to honor first responders
Michael Hartung, CEO of Invictus Australia, noted: 'Having the Duke and Duchess return to Sydney Harbour, where sailing first joined the Invictus movement, is a full-circle moment. It's a chance to show that Invictus in Australia isn't just a biannual event – it's a daily, grassroots movement.'
Security and Financial Aspects
Security intensified with NSW Police Dog Squad deployment at the InterContinental Hotel. Meghan's appearance fee, described as a 'fat one', is reportedly around $250,000. Retreat tickets cost up to $3,199 AUD (£1,400), with an extra £264 securing a table photo opportunity with the Duchess.
The couple's visit concluded with plans to watch the rugby match from a private suite alongside military and Invictus Games guests, before their expected return to the United States.
