Meghan Markle’s $1,800 “best self” cash-grab: Duchess hawks women-only Sydney retreat

Meghan Markle is set to headline a women-only weekend retreat in Sydney during her April trip to Australia, with tickets starting at about $1,800 and VIP packages running around $2,100 for front-row seats and a group photo. The event is being marketed as “a girls’ weekend like no other,” complete with yoga, meditation, manifestation workshops, a gala dinner and a fireside-style chat with the Duchess of Sussex.

The paid appearance is fueling fresh questions about the Sussex brand, especially as Prince Harry is also due to speak at a separate ticketed event in Melbourne. Critics say the couple’s mix of humanitarian messaging and premium lifestyle commerce feels increasingly disconnected. We also look at fresh expert warnings that Meghan’s As Ever brand lacks a clear identity, why some consultants think she may be “stronger alone” than alongside Harry right now, and the latest eyebrow-raising promotion offering free chocolate only if customers spend at least $150.
Plus: a columnist argues Meghan’s social media approach with Princess Lilibet amounts to “performative privacy.”

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Royal Books:

Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors by Tom Bower

William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story

The Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King and Princess Diana