April 17, 2026
Harry and Meghan Face Growing Backlash as $3,000 Retreat Takes Center Stage
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrive in Sydney for a high-profile rugby appearance, as scrutiny intensifies around their Australia trip. Reports suggest the couple deliberately avoided walkabouts due to security concerns, while sources offer sharply divided views on the success of the visit. Attention now turns to Meghan’s “Her Best Life” wellness retreat, with ticket prices and promises of exclusivity drawing criticism from commentators. British and Australian media question the purpose and optics of the tour, with some suggesting the couple appear disconnected from both royal duties and their new commercial direction. As the Sussexes describe the trip as a success, reaction beyond their inner circle remains mixed.
Get episodes of Palace Intrigue by becommming a paid subscriber on Apple Podcasts. Click the button that says uninterrupted listening. Just $5 a month, and that includes many ofther shows on the Caloroga Shark network.
A new season of King William is available now.
Our royal newsletter written by Deep Crown is available for free.
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
WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:11.240
Callaroga Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Pallace Intrigue. I
2
00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:14.240
am your host, Mark Francis Harry and Meghan are expected
3
00:00:14.279 --> 00:00:17.280
to make a high profile appearance at a Super Rugby
4
00:00:17.320 --> 00:00:21.039
match during their time in Sydney. Today, the couple have
5
00:00:21.039 --> 00:00:24.199
been invited to attend the new South Wales Waratars clash
6
00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:28.640
with Moana Pasafica at Allions Stadium, where they will watch
7
00:00:28.679 --> 00:00:31.440
the game from a private suite hosted by Rugby Australia
8
00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:35.439
chief Phil war. The visit marks returned to familiar territory
9
00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:37.439
for Prince Harry, who has long been known for his
10
00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:40.960
enthusiasm for rugby. He was in Australia when England won
11
00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:44.399
the Rugby World Cup in two thousand and three, celebrating
12
00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:47.520
alongside the team after their victory. They're stop in Sydney
13
00:00:47.560 --> 00:00:49.840
is expected to be brief, with just one night in
14
00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:54.119
the city as part of their wider Australia visit. Organizers
15
00:00:54.119 --> 00:00:57.880
say the appearance comes at a significant moment for Australian rugby,
16
00:00:58.039 --> 00:01:00.920
with the country preparing to host the Rugby World Cup
17
00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:04.760
in twenty twenty seven. Security preparations for the visit have
18
00:01:04.760 --> 00:01:06.920
already been carried out at the stadium, and the couple
19
00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:09.799
are also expected to welcome members of the Invictus Games
20
00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:15.000
community during the event. The couple has not scheduled any walkabouts.
21
00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:17.959
A source tells Radar Online the decision was made after
22
00:01:18.040 --> 00:01:21.519
careful planning, explaining Harry and Meghan took advice and made
23
00:01:21.560 --> 00:01:25.280
a deliberate decision to scrap traditional walkabouts during their Australia
24
00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:29.400
tour because of escalating concerns around security and the likelihood
25
00:01:29.719 --> 00:01:34.000
of organized protests. The same source added that the move
26
00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:37.519
reflects a broader effort to manage risk, noting that the
27
00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:42.239
potential risks, both in terms of crowd control and unpredictable demonstrations,
28
00:01:42.760 --> 00:01:46.879
outweighed the benefit of open, unscripted engagements with the public.
29
00:01:48.359 --> 00:01:51.640
Rob Shooter reports a source suggesting these Sussexes have been
30
00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:54.480
happy with the trip. They were beaming to them. This
31
00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:58.760
fills like a reset, like everything is working. Australia has
32
00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:02.599
always been special too them. They feel welcomed, appreciated. It's
33
00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:06.799
a safe space. The report suggests Meghan took a personal
34
00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:09.280
interest in at least one engagement, with a source saying
35
00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:12.439
she handpicked that shelter. She wanted to be seen doing
36
00:02:12.520 --> 00:02:16.879
something meaningful. Prince Harry is also described as being comfortable
37
00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:19.719
during the visit, with the insider noting he was in
38
00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:25.080
his element, relaxed, grateful, thanking everyone. However, Maturne appears to
39
00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:28.919
shift outside their immediate circle. Another source said people are
40
00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:31.719
asking what exactly are they doing here? In no one
41
00:02:31.719 --> 00:02:34.919
seems to have a clear answer. Back in the United Kingdom,
42
00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:37.639
the response is said to be muted. A source claimed
43
00:02:37.759 --> 00:02:40.080
they're not worried at all. If anything, they think it
44
00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:43.120
looks a little sloppy, like it's being run by amateurs.
45
00:02:43.639 --> 00:02:46.599
Another added if this was a threat, the Palace would react.
46
00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:49.240
The fact that they're not tells you everything. One insider
47
00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:51.800
sums it up. Harry and Meghan think it's a triumph
48
00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:56.520
outside their bubble. The jury's still out now. All eyes
49
00:02:56.520 --> 00:03:00.120
are on Meghan's wellness retreat. Her Best Life retreat to
50
00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:03.360
the Intercontinental Sydney Coogy Beach has tickets price between twenty
51
00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:06.560
seven hundred and thirty two hundred dollars. The weekend is
52
00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:10.599
being marketed as an intimate luxury experience focused on connection,
53
00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:14.400
well being and personal growth. According to organizers, the highlight
54
00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:17.439
will be an in person conversation with the Duchess of Sussex.
55
00:03:18.240 --> 00:03:21.360
Guests a promise a full program of activities including a
56
00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:26.840
gala dinner, wellness sessions, yoga, meditation and a sound healing experience,
57
00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:29.879
along with more social elements such as a dinner and
58
00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:33.520
disco event. The ticket price also covers the two nights
59
00:03:33.520 --> 00:03:38.560
of accommodation, meals and access to all scheduled sessions and experiences.
60
00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:41.919
Those opting for higher priced packages will receive additional perks,
61
00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:44.639
including a premium hotel room, a gift bag and a
62
00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:52.560
group photo with Megan More palacy, just a moment. In
63
00:03:52.639 --> 00:03:56.360
The Independent, Samuel Fishwick writes under the headline Meghan's business
64
00:03:56.360 --> 00:03:59.599
trip to Australia shows the tragedy of Prince Harry. Fishwick
65
00:03:59.639 --> 00:04:02.159
tells us you wonder if Prince Harry even has any
66
00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:05.199
idea what he is doing in Australia. Megan, we know
67
00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:07.759
is to be interviewed on stage at a girl's weekend
68
00:04:07.879 --> 00:04:11.560
retreat in Sydney this weekend, where the seventeen hundred pound
69
00:04:11.639 --> 00:04:15.439
VIP package includes a group selfie opportunity with the Duchess.
70
00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:18.639
Who could resist to which you have to say? Where
71
00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:21.519
does that leave Harry? Look? God forbid? A young couple
72
00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:23.879
enjoy a mini break. But what exactly does it say
73
00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:27.399
if a tightly scheduled program of fundraising engagements is the
74
00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:29.519
only way for Harry and Meghan to spend some quality
75
00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:33.879
time together. Perhaps the bestie's VIP package appeals to him.
76
00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:36.680
He could show up at the five star Intercontinental Koogie
77
00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:39.000
Beach with a ticket in one hand and Sofie stick
78
00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:42.160
in the other, yelling surprise tickets to meet Megan are
79
00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:45.879
still available. Imagine that. Nevertheless, I can't help thinking the
80
00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:48.439
waking nightmare for any mum of two on a girl's
81
00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:51.560
weekend is for their husband to actually join them on it.
82
00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:55.560
The husband's job, from personal experience, is in fact, to
83
00:04:55.600 --> 00:04:58.399
stay at home and say reassuring things about nursery pickup
84
00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:01.879
and bath time, while remaining stun about mystery rashes and
85
00:05:01.879 --> 00:05:03.959
the fact that they woke up eight times last night
86
00:05:04.040 --> 00:05:07.319
yelling mummy. Harry knows this, even as he trundles around
87
00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:10.480
on his part business part charity Quasi Royal four D
88
00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:13.560
tour wheeled out at the Royal Children's Hospital here playing
89
00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:15.360
the old hits there not for the first time he
90
00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:18.639
looks a bit well spare. According to the Daily Mail,
91
00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:22.480
he spent the fifteen hour commercial Quantus flight no private jet,
92
00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:25.279
your majesty talking about his children to anyone in business
93
00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:28.360
class who would listen, which I absolutely love. So what
94
00:05:28.519 --> 00:05:30.600
is he doing on the biggest grift since the Spice
95
00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:33.720
Skull's third Reunion Tour. If I were him, I'd have
96
00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:37.800
stayed home. Floyd Alexander Hunt, writing in The Financial Review,
97
00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:41.959
says this weekend, three hundred privileged and probably professional women
98
00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:44.399
will spend more than twenty five hundred dollars to hear
99
00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:48.600
Megan Michael speak at her Best Life retreat in Sydney.
100
00:05:48.920 --> 00:05:51.759
The luxury event is the brainchild of self described besties
101
00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:54.680
and podcasts co hosts Jackie o Henderson and Jemma O'Neill,
102
00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:58.160
and has been marketed as a girl's weekend like no other.
103
00:05:58.759 --> 00:06:01.759
Starting at twenty seven hundred dollars, The standard weekend package
104
00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:05.199
features a sound healing experience, a disco themed dance floor,
105
00:06:05.279 --> 00:06:08.040
and a chance to bunk with a complete stranger. Fork
106
00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:10.079
out an additional five hundred dollars and you can have
107
00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:13.079
your own room. To be clear, I have no grape
108
00:06:13.120 --> 00:06:16.360
with well earning women spending their disposable income whichever way
109
00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:19.240
they choose. In fact, I'd be the first to encourage
110
00:06:19.240 --> 00:06:21.920
my girlfriends to buy an expensive handbag or take a
111
00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:25.160
lavish holiday. The real stone in my shoe is the
112
00:06:25.160 --> 00:06:28.000
fallacy being peddled here that women can have it all.
113
00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:32.040
Aspirational experiences such as this may seem and in earnest
114
00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:34.759
try to be about empowerment or finding joy, but it's
115
00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:37.560
ultimately about selling an illusion to cashed up women that
116
00:06:37.600 --> 00:06:40.639
they can be everything to everyone, all at once. It's
117
00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:43.240
a myth as old as time. Dressed up in twenty
118
00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:46.439
twenty six as an intimate lifestyle retreat for working women
119
00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:50.279
featuring a non working royal. The target market for this
120
00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:54.959
event is important high earning professional women with a disposable income. Importantly,
121
00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:57.160
they are also the ones under the most pressure to
122
00:06:57.160 --> 00:06:59.879
pull off this impossible balancing act of excelling at work
123
00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:04.480
while maintaining a hypercurated domestic life. These women must strive
124
00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:08.959
to be the perfect mother, committed friend, effortless host, wellness guru,
125
00:07:09.160 --> 00:07:13.040
all while working a forty plus hour week. Retreats like
126
00:07:13.079 --> 00:07:16.360
this tend to promise three things. Rest and relaxation, access
127
00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:19.759
to something exclusive, and a high priced shortcut to your dreams.
128
00:07:19.959 --> 00:07:23.079
It's that last one that really sells. It's why successful
129
00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:26.600
authors can charge thousands of dollars for writing workshops and retreats,
130
00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:30.160
capitalizing on the idea that mere proximity to them and
131
00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:33.839
their insights might accelerate the publication of your first manuscript.
132
00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:36.759
It's extreme. It'd be like paying for a meet and
133
00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:38.680
greet with Taylor Swift in the hopes that you'd get
134
00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:43.920
a record deal implied shortcut to your dreams. The marketing
135
00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:46.519
of the event gives the illusion of access. Hecken in
136
00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:48.959
person conversation with Megan Markele makes it sound like she's
137
00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:51.759
sharing the twin room with you, but there in lies
138
00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:55.439
the issue. Markel and Henderson, for that matter, live lives
139
00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:58.120
so far removed from the average Sydney cider that it
140
00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:00.759
would be impossible for even the most well of professional
141
00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:04.839
women to penetrate. The weekend promises a shortcut to transformation,
142
00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:08.319
the idea that just being within their orbit might unlock
143
00:08:08.360 --> 00:08:12.240
a better version of your own life. Unfortunately, the maximum
144
00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:14.279
that you are the average of the five people you
145
00:08:14.279 --> 00:08:17.079
spend the most time with does not extend to parasocial
146
00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:20.800
relationships or paid events. Otherwise I would be a combination
147
00:08:20.920 --> 00:08:24.079
of the four main Bluey characters courtesy of my son
148
00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:26.959
and Hailey Bieber, and they have it. If you like
149
00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:29.800
to email us addresses the Palasintrigue at gmail dot com.
150
00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:32.600
Please follow us on Spotify, Apple or the app you
151
00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:35.720
are currently using. I Mark Francis my thanks to John mcgermott.
152
00:08:35.720 --> 00:08:38.159
This is Palace Intrigue. Good terms,
1
00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:11.240
2
00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:14.240
3
00:00:14.279 --> 00:00:17.280
4
00:00:17.320 --> 00:00:21.039
5
00:00:21.039 --> 00:00:24.199
6
00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:28.640
7
00:00:28.679 --> 00:00:31.440
8
00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:35.439
9
00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:37.439
10
00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:40.960
11
00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:44.399
12
00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:47.520
13
00:00:47.560 --> 00:00:49.840
14
00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:54.119
15
00:00:54.119 --> 00:00:57.880
16
00:00:58.039 --> 00:01:00.920
17
00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:04.760
18
00:01:04.760 --> 00:01:06.920
19
00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:09.799
20
00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:15.000
21
00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:17.959
22
00:01:18.040 --> 00:01:21.519
23
00:01:21.560 --> 00:01:25.280
24
00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:29.400
25
00:01:29.719 --> 00:01:34.000
26
00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:37.519
27
00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:42.239
28
00:01:42.760 --> 00:01:46.879
29
00:01:48.359 --> 00:01:51.640
30
00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:54.480
31
00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:58.760
32
00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:02.599
33
00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:06.799
34
00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:09.280
35
00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:12.439
36
00:02:12.520 --> 00:02:16.879
37
00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:19.719
38
00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:25.080
39
00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:28.919
40
00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:31.719
41
00:02:31.719 --> 00:02:34.919
42
00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:37.639
43
00:02:37.759 --> 00:02:40.080
44
00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:43.120
45
00:02:43.639 --> 00:02:46.599
46
00:02:46.680 --> 00:02:49.240
47
00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:51.800
48
00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:56.520
49
00:02:56.520 --> 00:03:00.120
50
00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:03.360
51
00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:06.560
52
00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:10.599
53
00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:14.400
54
00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:17.439
55
00:03:18.240 --> 00:03:21.360
56
00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:26.840
57
00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:29.879
58
00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:33.520
59
00:03:33.520 --> 00:03:38.560
60
00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:41.919
61
00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:44.639
62
00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:52.560
63
00:03:52.639 --> 00:03:56.360
64
00:03:56.360 --> 00:03:59.599
65
00:03:59.639 --> 00:04:02.159
66
00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:05.199
67
00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:07.759
68
00:04:07.879 --> 00:04:11.560
69
00:04:11.639 --> 00:04:15.439
70
00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:18.639
71
00:04:18.639 --> 00:04:21.519
72
00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:23.879
73
00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:27.399
74
00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:29.519
75
00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:33.879
76
00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:36.680
77
00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:39.000
78
00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:42.160
79
00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:45.879
80
00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:48.439
81
00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:51.560
82
00:04:52.160 --> 00:04:55.560
83
00:04:55.600 --> 00:04:58.399
84
00:04:58.399 --> 00:05:01.879
85
00:05:01.879 --> 00:05:03.959
86
00:05:04.040 --> 00:05:07.319
87
00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:10.480
88
00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:13.560
89
00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:15.360
90
00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:18.639
91
00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:22.480
92
00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:25.279
93
00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:28.360
94
00:05:28.519 --> 00:05:30.600
95
00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:33.720
96
00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:37.800
97
00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:41.959
98
00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:44.399
99
00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:48.600
100
00:05:48.920 --> 00:05:51.759
101
00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:54.680
102
00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:58.160
103
00:05:58.759 --> 00:06:01.759
104
00:06:01.759 --> 00:06:05.199
105
00:06:05.279 --> 00:06:08.040
106
00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:10.079
107
00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:13.079
108
00:06:13.120 --> 00:06:16.360
109
00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:19.240
110
00:06:19.240 --> 00:06:21.920
111
00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:25.160
112
00:06:25.160 --> 00:06:28.000
113
00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:32.040
114
00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:34.759
115
00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:37.560
116
00:06:37.600 --> 00:06:40.639
117
00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:43.240
118
00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:46.439
119
00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:50.279
120
00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:54.959
121
00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:57.160
122
00:06:57.160 --> 00:06:59.879
123
00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:04.480
124
00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:08.959
125
00:07:09.160 --> 00:07:13.040
126
00:07:13.079 --> 00:07:16.360
127
00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:19.759
128
00:07:19.959 --> 00:07:23.079
129
00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:26.600
130
00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:30.160
131
00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:33.839
132
00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:36.759
133
00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:38.680
134
00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:43.920
135
00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:46.519
136
00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:48.959
137
00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:51.759
138
00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:55.439
139
00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:58.120
140
00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:00.759
141
00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:04.839
142
00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:08.319
143
00:08:08.360 --> 00:08:12.240
144
00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:14.279
145
00:08:14.279 --> 00:08:17.079
146
00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:20.800
147
00:08:20.920 --> 00:08:24.079
148
00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:26.959
149
00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:29.800
150
00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:32.600
151
00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:35.720
152
00:08:35.720 --> 00:08:38.159
