The Duchess of Sussex to attend Sydney retreat in 'girls weekend like no other'

The Duchess of Sussex will be in Sydney from April 17 to 19 where she will take part in "girls weekend like no other" for the Her Best Life podcast.

The announcement was made on Wednesday morning by host Gemma O'Neill.

Meghan will speak at an in-conversation event before attending a gala dinner, held in Coogee in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Prince Harry and Meghan will return to Australia next month, nearly eight years since their first visit soon after the royal wedding.

The royal couple is expected to "take part in a number of private, business, and philanthropic engagements", their spokesperson said.

'Early bird' tickets to the retreat with Meghan start at $2699 while the VIP experience costs $3199 per person.

The VIP ticket includes a seat at table in the front two rows for the gala dinner with the duchess and a group table photo with Meghan.

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Meghan will speak about her career and life during a question and answer session with guests and attend the dinner, at the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach.

Other events across the retreat – which don't include the duchess – include yoga and meditation, and a "powerful women's session" with a psychologist.

"I am beside myself about this," O'Neill said.

"I have admired this woman and what she has endured, how she's risen above it and how she has demonstrated how a woman can be pushed down and she can still rise."

"That person is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. I can't believe I am saying those words.

"There is no one more shocked than me."

The Duchess of Sussex has hosted two of her own podcasts since stepping back from life as a working royal with Prince Harry in 2020.

Her first was Archetypes, with Spotify in 2022, which was axed after one 12-episode season.

Then came eight episodes of Meghan's "girl talk" business-focused offering Confessions of a Female Founder in 2025.

That series saw the duchess interview notable female entrepreneurs who shared their successes and failures.

It was a tie-in with her newly-launched business, As ever and gave the duchess a platform to speak about the struggles she had in creating it, including the issues that caused her sleepless nights.

Meghan has also appeared on a number of podcasts hosted by friends, where she has spoken about her life with Prince Harry, being a mother and their new life in the US.

Last week, the duchess announced her homeware and lifestyle brand As ever had ended its partnership with Netflix.

The streaming giant had teamed up with the duchess to launch the brand along with her series With Love, Meghan which had two series and a Christmas special.

As ever products include jam, wine, flower sprinkles and candles. There had been talk Meghan was looking to expand the brand internationally, including to Australia.

"No decisions have been made about when or where international expansion might take place," a spokesperson said about the possible expansion plans.

"Entering new markets is a considered process, but it's something the brand is excited to explore as it continues to grow in this next phase.

"Watch this space."

Prince Harry and Meghan still support various charities and causes close to their hearts, even after their royal exit.

The duke is expected to attend events connected with the Australian Defence Force and the Australia's Invictus Games team.

He co-founded the Invictus Games in 2014 after completing two tours of duty in Afghanistan when he was a member of Britain's Armed Forces.

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