WEBVTT
1
00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:11.240
A Calorouga Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Pallas Intrigue.
2
00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:14.000
I'm your host. Mark Francis, Prince Harry and Meghan Mikel
3
00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:17.199
were reportedly planning to tune their upcoming Australia trip into
4
00:00:17.199 --> 00:00:20.800
a filmed project, with claims that cameras will document the
5
00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:24.079
visit for a potential new streaming series. According to a
6
00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:27.839
report citing sources via rob Shooter, the couple's mid April
7
00:00:27.839 --> 00:00:30.480
trip as being positioned as more than a series of appearances,
8
00:00:30.679 --> 00:00:33.520
when Inside has said this isn't just a tour. Cameras
9
00:00:33.560 --> 00:00:36.679
will be there documenting everything, with the project described as
10
00:00:36.679 --> 00:00:41.240
a glossy travel and food documentary highlighting Australia's culture, landscapes
11
00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:45.479
and cuisine. The concept has been framed as travel, food
12
00:00:45.520 --> 00:00:48.240
and lifestyle, with the source adding it's being pitched as
13
00:00:48.280 --> 00:00:52.000
a love letter to Australia. Radar Online caught our attention
14
00:00:52.079 --> 00:00:55.799
with the headline Inside Megan Mikael's Oussie Wellness Retreat from
15
00:00:55.840 --> 00:01:01.359
Hell organizes business collapses, hotels, broken amenities and washing ashore.
16
00:01:02.679 --> 00:01:06.040
Radar explains Megan Mark's upcoming appearance at a wellness retreat
17
00:01:06.120 --> 00:01:09.640
in Australia as facing scrutiny amid questions about the event's
18
00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:15.079
organization and logistics. Her Best Life Retreat, scheduled to take
19
00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:19.120
place at the Intercontinental Kogie Beach in Sydney, was announced
20
00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:21.519
earlier this month and set to include an appearance by
21
00:01:21.519 --> 00:01:24.480
the Duchess of Sussex. Guests were told they would enjoy
22
00:01:24.599 --> 00:01:28.400
relaxed time by the pool overlooking Coogie Beach. However, the
23
00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:31.319
hotel has indicated that key facilities are not yet open.
24
00:01:32.079 --> 00:01:35.280
According to information on the hotel's website, the Leisure Deck,
25
00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:39.400
featuring the ocean facing Infinity Edge swimming pool, poolside bar,
26
00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:44.000
outdoor event terrace, a lever, spa and club Intercontinental is
27
00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:46.879
not scheduled to open until sometime in April, making it
28
00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:50.400
unclear whether those amenities will be available during the retreat.
29
00:01:51.159 --> 00:01:54.760
They have also been broader concerns raised about the surrounding area.
30
00:01:55.319 --> 00:01:58.000
Reports note that the so called pooh balls have washed
31
00:01:58.079 --> 00:02:02.040
up along Sydney beaches in recent years, described by scientists
32
00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:05.159
as a combination of cooking, oil, soap and human excrement.
33
00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:09.479
Attention has also turned to the events organizer, Jemma O'Neill.
34
00:02:09.639 --> 00:02:13.199
Reports indicate her business, the Jemmy Agency, went into voluntary
35
00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:16.960
liquidation in November of twenty twenty five. It has also
36
00:02:16.960 --> 00:02:19.560
been reported that she informed administrators she was unable to
37
00:02:19.599 --> 00:02:23.840
repay outstanding tax debt, citing limited income and financial challenges.
38
00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:28.520
Details about the retreat itself have also drawn discussion. Promotional
39
00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:32.080
material for higher tier packages includes seating at a table
40
00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:35.520
in front of two rows for the gala dinner with Megan,
41
00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:38.360
Duchess of Sussex, as well as a group table photo
42
00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:41.080
with Megan, Duchess of Sussex. The event is scheduled to
43
00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:43.400
go ahead in April, with Megan expected to appear as
44
00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:45.960
part of the program. It is unclear if the Pooh
45
00:02:45.960 --> 00:02:49.159
Balls on the Beach will make it into the rumored documentary.
46
00:02:50.199 --> 00:02:53.479
In The Express, Chris Riches writes, Meghan and Harry are
47
00:02:53.520 --> 00:02:56.039
about to find out what Ozzies really think of them.
48
00:02:56.120 --> 00:02:59.639
It won't be pretty. According to Richards, Prince Harry and
49
00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:02.120
Meghani think they will get a red carpet as welcomed
50
00:03:02.199 --> 00:03:04.479
royals when they arrived down Under, but they could be
51
00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:08.199
heading into the hornet's nest covered in sticky honey. If ever,
52
00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:10.599
there was a time for one of their faux royals
53
00:03:10.639 --> 00:03:13.680
to jet into a country that's expressed the desire to
54
00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:17.120
ax Andrew mount Batten Windsor from the line of succession.
55
00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:20.800
It's not now. Playing the victim of the institution behind
56
00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:23.159
the monarchy was a novel story for a while, but
57
00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:25.159
it's worn thin of late, and Harry and Meghan are
58
00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:29.919
finding future revenue streams in shorter supply now. They seem
59
00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:32.639
to want to revert to traveling the world, representing the Crown,
60
00:03:32.759 --> 00:03:36.080
posing with sick children and meeting ambassadors. The trouble is
61
00:03:36.159 --> 00:03:39.360
they aren't working royals. What they are is a useful
62
00:03:39.439 --> 00:03:42.120
lightning rod for all those sparked into anger at the
63
00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:45.840
actions of Andrew and Fergie. Sky News Australia announced that
64
00:03:45.879 --> 00:03:49.520
Meghan ticket event under the headline desperate for relevance. They
65
00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:53.360
also use the words utterly nauseating. So if Harry and
66
00:03:53.400 --> 00:03:55.280
Meghan think the red carpet will be dusted off for
67
00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:57.879
them down Under, just like in twenty eighteen, and their
68
00:03:57.919 --> 00:04:00.800
faces will be beamed into airs, they may be in
69
00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:04.520
for a shock. As Talk TVs Mark Dolan somewhat harshly
70
00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:06.800
put it, the reason why it went that well in
71
00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:09.479
twenty eighteen is because they didn't know Meghan Markel very
72
00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:12.120
well they know her now, and what do they know
73
00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:16.959
her to be? A gold digging grifter. A change dot
74
00:04:17.040 --> 00:04:20.160
org petition has gathered more than ten thousand signatures arguing
75
00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:23.399
that the couple should be treated strictly as private individuals.
76
00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:26.439
It states that Australian taxpayers should not be responsible for
77
00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:29.639
covering costs such as security, logistics or any form of
78
00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:33.839
official coordination. The tone of the campaign is notably blunt,
79
00:04:33.959 --> 00:04:37.399
with promotional imagery carrying the message we don't want you here.
80
00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:41.959
Meghan is reportedly planning a cautious return to podcasting during
81
00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:44.519
the Australia trip, using the visit as a testing ground
82
00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:48.560
for future audio projects. According to a report citing sources,
83
00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:51.040
the Duchess of Sussex is expected to make a guest
84
00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:55.759
appearance on her Best Life podcast while in Australia. One
85
00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:58.800
inside has said the expectation is that Megan Markel will
86
00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:02.720
cautiously step back into the podcasting arena, rather than launching
87
00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:05.519
a full project straight away. The idea is for her
88
00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:08.680
to appear as a guest on an established show while
89
00:05:08.720 --> 00:05:11.600
she is there and gauge the reaction. We can tell
90
00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:14.160
Megan what the reaction will be right now, she's going
91
00:05:14.199 --> 00:05:17.000
to be mocked. The source added that the strategy is
92
00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:20.040
to dip her toe back into podcasting without committing to
93
00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:23.639
anything major, using a guest spot to reconnect with listeners
94
00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:26.639
and reintroduce herself into that space while keeping the pressure
95
00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:30.160
relatively low. The Australia trip itself is seen as a
96
00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:32.920
key part of that strategy, and inside It described it
97
00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:35.959
as the perfect stage due to the expected media attention,
98
00:05:36.480 --> 00:05:40.040
saying the visit would naturally amplify that visibility and help
99
00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:44.839
remind audiences that podcasting is still something she intends to pursue.
100
00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:48.600
Longer term plans reportedly include reviving Megan's own podcast, but
101
00:05:48.680 --> 00:05:51.959
sources suggest the approach will be gradual. If the guest
102
00:05:51.959 --> 00:05:54.480
appearance lands well and generates the kind of interest they
103
00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:56.800
are hoping for. The idea is that it could become
104
00:05:56.839 --> 00:06:00.759
the first step toward reviving her own podcast, pros one
105
00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:05.600
source said, describing it as a soft relaunch. One podcast
106
00:06:05.639 --> 00:06:09.680
industry executive told Pallace intrigue, how many failed podcasts does
107
00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:13.800
she need to do before companies stop writing checks. Meghan
108
00:06:13.839 --> 00:06:16.720
previously hosted Archetypes, which launched in twenty twenty two, and
109
00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:19.720
later Confessions of a female founder which is currently on
110
00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:24.199
hiatus and our script has hiatus. In quotes that said,
111
00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:27.160
we welcome Meghan back to podcasting as it easily fills
112
00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:29.680
two episodes for us, one with our recaps of what
113
00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:32.040
she says, which saves you the trouble of listening to her,
114
00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:34.959
and then the next day reaction pieces. We can assure
115
00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:37.879
you those episodes do very well for us, So Meghan,
116
00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:46.279
please resume podcasting more in just a moment, please check
117
00:06:46.279 --> 00:06:49.040
out Deep Crown. He's our royal insider here at Pallas
118
00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:52.360
Intrigue and a veteran observer of the British royal family,
119
00:06:52.759 --> 00:06:55.240
devoted admirer of the late Queen, a cautious friend to
120
00:06:55.240 --> 00:06:58.120
the institution, and a man who writes about it all
121
00:06:58.240 --> 00:07:00.720
of the time, with a Canada that the Palace Press
122
00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:03.560
Office would almost certainly prefer he kept to himself. He
123
00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:06.680
contributes regularly to this podcast and he publishes a newsletter
124
00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:10.759
on substack where the Deeper Analysis lives. Free dispatches come
125
00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:12.839
out to all subscribers. And if you want more Deep
126
00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:16.439
Crown and based on our inbox, you do search Deep
127
00:07:16.439 --> 00:07:19.720
Crown on substack, google Deep Crown, or find the link
128
00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:24.120
in Today's episode notes it's deep crown on substack. In
129
00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:26.319
The Times, Shane Watson took a look at the part
130
00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:30.199
of the Variety article which suggested Meghan talks over Harry.
131
00:07:30.759 --> 00:07:34.079
Watson writes their behavior has once again come under the
132
00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:38.399
spotlight in virtual and in person meetings with partners. Variety
133
00:07:38.480 --> 00:07:42.920
reports Meghan tends to talk over or recast Prince Harry's thoughts,
134
00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:47.240
sometimes while he is mid sentence, sources say, usually preceded
135
00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:49.839
by a touch to the arm or thigh. Don't you
136
00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:52.959
just love the use of the word recast. Yes, we
137
00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:55.720
see it comes from the word salad impulse, as well
138
00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:58.120
as from Meghan's need to control not just the narrative
139
00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:03.519
but everything. Meghan's lawyer says this recasting assertion seems calculated
140
00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:08.160
to play into the misogynistic characterization of bossing her husband around,
141
00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:10.279
And yes, it certainly does seem that way unless you
142
00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:14.000
saw Harry and Meghan's first TV interview immediately after the
143
00:08:14.040 --> 00:08:17.240
announcement of their engagement, when we knew from twenty seconds
144
00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:19.639
in that henceforth, she was doing all the talking and
145
00:08:19.639 --> 00:08:21.879
all the thinking and all the planning for both of them,
146
00:08:22.160 --> 00:08:26.600
for better or worse, For richer or poorer. Meghan was
147
00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:29.199
mocked online after posting an Instagram video in which he
148
00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:32.840
appeared wearing a wie black headband and a Kashmir turtleneck,
149
00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:38.320
prompting comparisons to Carolyn Bassett Kennedy. Critics suggested she was
150
00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:42.799
cosplaying CBK was pointing to the timing, alongside renewed interest
151
00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:47.000
in Bassett's style from a current FX series. In the video,
152
00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:50.279
filmed in Montecito, Meghan has seen arranging pale, pink flowers,
153
00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:53.639
while a voice believed to be Harry says it's so beautiful.
154
00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:56.039
It's so pretty and pink. The look marked a shift
155
00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:59.879
from her usual hairstyle, with the headband drawing immediate attention.
156
00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:04.360
Online reaction on social media was sharply critical. One user wrote,
157
00:09:04.480 --> 00:09:07.919
now she is in her CBK era black headband and
158
00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:12.000
turtle nick cashmere really groundbreaking. Another said, oh, look at
159
00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:15.000
Carol Nbassett style headband. She is a ghoul using the
160
00:09:15.080 --> 00:09:19.320
dead for attention again. Others piled on with comments like
161
00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:23.399
anyone else clocked the CBK headband to eye roll and
162
00:09:23.559 --> 00:09:27.080
oh god, she's started in on the headband. The video
163
00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:29.960
was part of a broader burst of Instagram activity for Megan,
164
00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:32.720
including clips of her daughter a little Bit, chasing chickens,
165
00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:35.440
picking flowers, and sharing a book of poetry about motherhood,
166
00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:38.919
despite ongoing criticism that the couple seeks privacy and the
167
00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:42.200
Variety article and the Bower book and the Australia trip
168
00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:45.080
and the habit. If you like to email us addresses
169
00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:48.200
the Palace intrig at gmail dot com, please followus on Spotify,
170
00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:50.399
Apple or the app of your choice. I'm Mark Francis.
171
00:09:50.559 --> 00:09:53.399
Thanks to John McDermott. This is Palace Intrigue and good
172
00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:53.840
terms