She is as resourceful as ever.
Meghan Markle is putting her lifestyle expertise to use by headlining a luxury Australian retreat where VIP tickets are on sale for the unbeatable price of $3,199 per person.
Grant Harrold, former royal butler to Charles III, spoke exclusively with Page Six on behalf of Casino Hawks ahead of Markle’s panel discussion at the Her Best Life retreat later this week.
“I wasn’t surprised to hear that Meghan was exploring this as a new way to generate income,” Harold said.
“People pay a lot of money to attend these retreats, and with Meghan being the face of the event, it’s certainly going to generate a corresponding return,” he continued.
Standard tickets cost $2,699 per person, but for an additional $500 attendees can enjoy special experiences such as a photo op with the Duchess of Sussex.
According to the podcast’s website, the VIP package includes a “group table photo with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.”
VIPs will also receive a special VIP goodie bag and a premium hotel room at the luxurious InterContinental Coogee Beach Resort.
All participants will spend two nights in seaside accommodation and have access to all the activities on the itinerary, including an intimate conversation with Markle.
It also includes a gala dinner, a session with therapist Dr. Justin Colley, a meditation and manifestation session with podcast co-host Gemma O’Neill, a yoga session, a sound healing experience, breakfast each morning, Saturday lunch, dinner and disco, and includes alcohol.
“This is your chance to step away from your daily routine and spend a weekend focused on connection, growth, joy, and celebration,” the website says.
A royal expert says Markle’s decision to host a wellness retreat is “consistent with her brand.”
“If you think back to Princess Diana, she was very passionate about wellness, but she always kept that aspect of her life completely private,” Harrold said. “The royal family tends to be interested in health and wellness, but it’s always done behind closed doors. It’s not something the royal family addresses publicly.
But Markle made a name for herself in the lifestyle space with As Ever Brand, her now-canceled Netflix cooking show, With Love, Meghan Markle, and her blog, The Tig, which she started before she met Prince Harry.
“I think this is a good fit,” Harold said.
As for how the royal family feels about Markle’s participation in the retreat, Harold feels the former Suits actress has “earned the right” to earn her own income after Markle and the Duke of Sussex stepped down from senior royal duties in 2020.
“I don’t think the king or other members of the royal family will have any problem with this,” Harold said. “I think they’re happy that Meghan is focusing on lifestyle and health as a future career. And to be honest, they would much rather see her make money from this than a tell-all book or TV interview.”
The British etiquette expert pointed out that Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie all found ways to earn money for themselves outside of their royal responsibilities.
“Personally, I don’t think this is a problem,” he said. “We live in a modern world and families have to adapt to it. With Prince William wanting to transition into a royal family with a lowercase ‘r’, members of the extended family have to accept that they will have to come up with other ways to make some cash.”
Harold believes the author of “The Spare” warned his father about whether Prince Harry needed to resolve issues with members of the royal family.
Harold said: “While Meghan doesn’t technically need royal permission to do this type of event, I think Prince Harry has probably discussed it with his father.” “We hear that he is currently making a serious effort to repair his relationship with his father and that they are in regular contact. So perhaps Prince Harry brought his thoughts to the King’s attention before going public.”
Markle, 44, and Harry, 41, are in Australia this week and the retreat will run from Friday, April 17th to Sunday, April 19th.
