The Duchess of Sussex, 44, is scheduled to appear as a guest speaker at the three-day Her Best Life Retreat next month. The event coincides with Meghan and Prince Harry’s planned return to Australia — their first trip to the country since 2018.
Inside the high-end Sydney retreat
The retreat will be held at the InterContinental Hotel at Coogee Beach and promises an upscale experience for attendees. Organisers say the event will include “a gala dinner featuring an in-person conversation with Meghan,” along with opportunities for “powerful conversations, relaxation, laughter and unforgettable experiences.”
Early Bird tickets cost $2,699 and include two nights at the five-star hotel, the gala dinner, meals, alcohol, as well as access to wellness activities and speaker sessions.
Guests who purchase VIP tickets for $3,199 will receive additional perks, including a “group table photo” with Meghan and seats in the front two rows during the gala dinner.
The retreat will run from April 17 to April 19 and attendance is capped at just 300 participants.
Organisers react to Meghan’s involvement
Gemma O’Neill, who co-founded Besties alongside Jackie O in 2023, admitted she was surprised that Meghan agreed to headline the event.
“There’s no one more shocked than me,” she said.
“I have admired this woman and what she has endured, how she’s risen above it, and how she has demonstrated that a woman can be pushed down and she can still rise.”
She also joked about sharing the stage with the Duchess.
“I know what you’re all thinking because I’m thinking the same thing. How has this incredible woman gone from Oprah to talking on stage with little old me?”
Although O’Neill remains closely involved in the retreat, Jackie O stepped away from the Besties brand and its podcast last month, leaving uncertainty about whether she will attend the event herself.
Timing comes during turmoil for Jackie O
The announcement arrives during a difficult period for Henderson. Recently, the long-running Kyle and Jackie O Show ended after 22 years on air.
ARN confirmed last week that the KIIS FM program would be removed from broadcasting following an on-air dispute between Henderson and her co-host Kyle Sandilands that reportedly left her in tears.
Sandilands was also taken off air for what ARN described as an “act of serious misconduct,” with the network arguing that the incident violated his $100 million contract.
Following a path set by Gwyneth Paltrow
Meghan’s appearance follows a similar event in 2023 when Gwyneth Paltrow participated in a Besties gathering with Henderson and O’Neill.
After Meghan’s booking was announced, Jackie O publicly congratulated her manager on Instagram, writing: “Incredible Gem. Definitely living your best life.”
Paltrow reportedly earned between $150,000 and $500,000 for her appearance at the earlier event.
Sussexes expected to visit Melbourne as well
In addition to traveling to Sydney, Meghan and Prince Harry are also expected to visit Melbourne for what sources describe as “private, business and philanthropic engagements.”
Prince Harry, 41, is scheduled to appear as a keynote speaker at the InterEdge Summit, where he will discuss mental health in the workplace.
The two-day summit aims to bring together “leaders, policymakers, practitioners and advocates” to “explore practical strategies for creating psychologically safe, mentally healthy and high-performing workplaces.”
Tickets for the event cost up to $2,378, with proceeds supporting Lifeline Narrm’s 24/7 support services.
The trip will mark the Sussexes’ first visit to Australia since their 2018 tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga shortly after their wedding.
This time, however, they will be traveling not as working royals, but as private citizens.
