The Duchess of Sussex is set to be the star attraction at an exclusive women’s weekend in Sydney this April, with tickets costing upwards of A$2,699 (£1,400).
Meghan will headline a gala dinner at the three-day retreat, which coincides with a visit to Australia by her and Prince Harry. The trip marks seven years since their first tour of the country as working members of the royal family, a visit widely regarded as a triumph.
Billed as “a girls’ weekend like no other,” the event will feature Meghan in a “fireside chat” format. For those willing to pay for the top-tier VIP experience—priced at around A$3,200 (£1,700)—perks include front-row seats and a group photograph with the Duchess.
The announcement comes shortly after Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As ever, parted ways with Netflix. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a blockbuster deal with the streaming giant in 2020, reportedly worth $100 million (£75 million), to produce content. However, Meghan’s own lifestyle and cookery show, With Love, Meghan, which spanned two seasons and a Christmas special, failed to gain significant traction with viewers.
The 300-person event in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is the brainchild of the Her Best Life podcast. Organiser Gemma O’Neill, a former producer for actress Nicole Kidman, confirmed the Duchess’s involvement on her show this week. O’Neill shared that Meghan was drawn to the event’s mission, saying the Duchess “really loves what our community is about, which is women trying to grow” and become their best selves.
Held at a five-star hotel overlooking Coogee Beach, the weekend promises a blend of wellness and entertainment. The itinerary includes sessions with a psychologist, yoga, sound healing, a meditation workshop, and a disco, all designed to help women “reconnect, recharge and have some serious fun.”
A spokesperson for the Sussexes has described their upcoming April visit to Australia as a mix of “private, business and philanthropic engagements.”
Since their last official Australian tour in 2018, the couple’s lives have transformed dramatically. That 16-day trip was their first major overseas engagement as newlyweds and was made even more memorable by the announcement of Meghan’s first pregnancy just hours into the tour. The couple was met with huge crowds and widespread popularity as they visited Bondi Beach and sailed on Sydney Harbour.
By 2020, however, they had stepped back as senior royals and relocated to the United States, citing unbearable media pressure and tensions within the family. Prince Harry has since spoken openly about the strain in his relationship with his father, King Charles, expressing a desire for reconciliation.
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