Meghan Markle is reportedly set to headline an exclusive women-only wellness retreat in Sydney next week, as part of a wider visit to Australia with Prince Harry that includes stops in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. The event is organised by the Her Best Life podcast team, hosted by Australian broadcaster Jackie ‘O’ Henderson and her manager Gemma O’Neill, and is being promoted as a luxury “girls weekend” focused on mindfulness, personal growth and open conversation among women.

The retreat, scheduled to begin on April 17 at the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, is expected to bring together around 300 guests for a three-day programme combining yoga sessions, sound healing, guided meditation, and workshops led by a psychologist. The itinerary also includes a “fireside chat” question-and-answer session featuring Meghan, as well as a gala dinner where she is expected to make a public appearance alongside attendees.

Ticket prices for the event have attracted significant attention, with standard packages reportedly costing around £1,400 per person, while premium options, offering more direct access to the Duchess of Sussex, can rise to approximately £2,000. Organisers claim that all available tickets have now been allocated, although there have been conflicting reports suggesting that not every package has been fully sold.

Ahead of the retreat, organiser Gemma O’Neill released a highly enthusiastic video message in which she described her recent conversation with Meghan Markle. In the recording, she said she had “just got off the phone” with the Duchess and described the exchange as warm and uplifting, claiming Meghan was “so divine” and “beautiful” in conversation. O’Neill added that she felt an immediate connection, saying she “loved chatting” with her and was already excited for attendees to experience her presence at the retreat.

According to O’Neill, Meghan expressed strong enthusiasm for the event and is looking forward to engaging directly with participants in an informal and personal setting. She quoted the Duchess as saying she wanted the retreat to feel like a space for “real woman-to-woman chats,” emphasising open dialogue and authentic connection between attendees rather than formal speeches or staged appearances.

The organiser further described Meghan as being excited to spend time with “great women” in an intimate environment where conversations could feel natural and unfiltered. In her video, O’Neill repeatedly praised the Duchess and said she had become her “biggest fan,” reflecting the promotional tone surrounding the event in the lead-up to its launch.

The venue chosen for the retreat, the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, is a luxury coastal hotel where rooms typically range between £250 and £450 per night. While accommodation is included within the overall ticket price, critics have pointed out that the remaining cost of attendance appears to contribute significantly to the broader event package, including programming, branding and speaker involvement.

The announcement has sparked wider discussion about the growing trend of high-priced wellness and lifestyle retreats led by public figures. Supporters argue that such events offer valuable spaces for reflection, empowerment and community building, particularly for women seeking meaningful conversations around modern life, identity and mental wellbeing. They view Meghan’s involvement as consistent with her public focus on personal development and advocacy for women’s voices.

However, the pricing structure and exclusivity of the retreat have also drawn scrutiny. Some observers have questioned whether positioning the event as a “relatable” and intimate gathering aligns with its high cost, while others have raised broader concerns about the commercialisation of wellness culture, particularly when linked to celebrity participation.

Adding to the intrigue is the wider context of Harry and Meghan’s visit to Australia. Although the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and no longer represent the British monarchy in an official capacity, their public appearances during international tours continue to attract significant attention. The Australian visit, which includes multiple cities and public engagements, has been described by some commentators as resembling a traditional royal tour in terms of visibility and public interest.

Public reaction in Australia has also been mixed, with a petition reportedly gathering tens of thousands of signatures calling for no taxpayer funding to be used in connection with the visit. This reflects ongoing debate about the couple’s public role and the perception of their international engagements despite no longer carrying official royal status.

Meanwhile, organisers behind the retreat have faced their own scrutiny. Gemma O’Neill, who manages media personalities alongside hosting the Her Best Life podcast, recently drew attention after social media changes and reports of financial difficulties linked to her business ventures. Despite this, promotional channels for the podcast remain active and continue to highlight the upcoming event as a major highlight in its calendar.

In her public messaging, O’Neill also alluded to personal challenges and periods of reflection, describing a brief “retreating” phase in her own life before returning to focus on the project. She encouraged followers to view the upcoming event as a shared journey of healing, connection and empowerment.

As anticipation builds, attention has increasingly focused on Meghan Markle’s role as the headline figure. While organisers frame the retreat as a collaborative and community-driven experience, the presence of a globally recognised public figure has inevitably become the central talking point.

With premium tickets promising closer access to the Duchess and a limited number of guests expected to attend, the event is already generating significant interest both from supporters eager to participate and from critics questioning its exclusivity and pricing.

As the start date approaches, the Sydney retreat continues to sit at the intersection of celebrity culture, wellness marketing and public fascination with high-profile figures, ensuring that Meghan Markle’s appearance remains one of the most closely watched lifestyle events of the season.