Harry and Meghan to part ways as duchess holds private meetings ahead of business expansion and $3000 locked down speaking event
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are waking up in Melbourne this morning for the second day of their non-royal tour.
Prince Harry and Meghan will go their own ways today, after a busy afternoon of engagements yesterday.
The duke will embark on a number of events without his wife, starting at Whitten Oval where he'll visit the AFL's Western Bulldogs team to highlight its Movember campaign.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. Joe Armao
Founded in Melbourne in 2003, Movember promotes men's health. Harry's visit is expected to focus on support for new fathers.
Prince Harry will then fly to Canberra, where he will tour the Australian War Memorial, meet indigenous veterans, attend the daily Last Post ceremony and a reception for Invictus Australia.
The duke will return to Melbourne for events on Thursday with Meghan.
As for the duchess, she will be out of the spotlight today but is rumoured to be holding a series of private business meetings as she prepares to launch her lifestyle brand As Ever in Australia.
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The duchess was all smiles at the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum in Southbank on Tuesday. Getty
According to intellectual property office records, Meghan's trademark was accepted in June, 2025, under the description "fancy". Current products include jam, flower sprinkles, candles and wine.
There is also speculation Meghan is in Melbourne in support of Soho House's Australian expansion. The elite members club has 40 locations around the world including in London and New York and last year Soho House confirmed it was looking to open in Melbourne and in Sydney "beyond 2027".
Meghan's close friend Markus Anderson is a consultant for Soho House and has known the duchess since her acting days.
Prince Harry and Meghan are in Australia for four days and will end their visit in Sydney. Getty
It was Anderson who connected the duchess with Gemma O'Neill, the organiser of the women's only retreat Meghan is headlining on Friday.
The event, limited to just 300 tickets, is yet to sell-out despite huge publicity around it.
Tickets start at $2699, while the VIP experience costs $3199 and includes a group photo with the duchess.
The event is billed as a 'girls weekend like no other' and will see Meghan speak at at an in-conversation session before attending a dinner.
There were large crowds at the hospital when patients and their families, including hospital staff, waited for the couple's arrival. AP
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford told 2GB a number of tight security arrangements were in place and guests have been warned about what to expect.
"The whole hotel, the InterContinental at Coogee, is totally closed to everybody as of Friday morning through to Sunday afternoon unless you've signed up to attend the event you can't go into the hotel," Ford told 2GB on Tuesday afternoon.
"Meghan's big night is Friday night, that is when she will appear and give her speech.
"The details about what to expect have kind-of been leaked to me."
Ford said: "At 4.30 to 5pm, there's VIP photos, VIP photos with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex but only for the VIP guests.
"So, even if you are going, unless you have paid that top dollar, you won't be getting a photograph with her."
Ford then read aloud from the leaked program: "'From 5pm, step into an unforgettable evening. Her Best Life gala dinner featuring a conversation with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex' and then it goes on...
"They advise the dress code, 'cocktail, think evening elegance, something that makes you feel confident and special'.
The duchess helped to serve lunch at a women's refuge on Tuesday afternoon. Getty
"But here's the big one: the security clearance."
Ford then read out the rules given to ticket holders.
"'To ensure a safe and seamless experience for all guests, entry to the dinner will include a security clearance. Please bring your event lanyard, and a valid photo ID, and allow time for a bag check and a brief body wand scan upon arrival'."
He added: "You're going to get wanded before you even get into that function room!".
The event is a three-day retreat running from Friday night through to Sunday afternoon.
At the weekend, O'Neill described Meghan as "so divine" after having a Zoom call with her ahead of the tour.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will speak at the Her Best Life retreat in Sydney between April 17-19, 2026. Her Best Life
"It couldn't have been any more, kind of, real," O'Neill said.
"I just immediately loved chatting to her. She was like, 'let's just have a real chat, woman to woman, let's just go for it'."
But the duchess won't be there for long as she will re-join Prince Harry on Friday night at Allianz Stadium.
The couple will watch rugby team New South Wales Waratahs take on Moana Pasifika, later meeting the players in the dressing room.
They are due to return to California, and their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, on Saturday.
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