One minute of Markle.
Fans paid more than $3,199 to see Meghan Markle at a weekend retreat in Sydney on Friday, but the Duchess of Sussex attended the expensive event for just two hours.
The 44-year-old “With Love, Meghan Markle” star and Prince Harry, 41, showed up at the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach Resort at 5pm local time and departed 120 minutes later in a luxury Range Rover.
Markle was reportedly paid $150,000 for her special guest appearance, according to the Daily Mail, and attendees shelled out big bucks for the chance to ask her questions and take photos.
The duchess took part in an onstage question-and-answer session with Gemma O’Neill, co-host of the Her Best Life podcast and co-organizer of the annual retreat with co-host Jackie Henderson, but during the face-to-face conversation she complained about her “very demanding” public life.
Markle also spoke passionately about the “amazing moments” since meeting Prince Harry in 2016, including getting married and welcoming their two children, but also highlighted the attacks she has “had to endure” since then.
Critics of the Sussexes have since flooded social media, sharing their thoughts on Markle’s nearly two-hour stay at a retreat called “Megstock” as Meghan was expected to attend.
“Why didn’t Meghan Markle share a meal with the women she paid $3,000 to spend her ‘retreat’ with? What’s the point?” one person tweeted.
“She didn’t go there to spend time with those people, just to take some PR photos and collect her share,” another woman claimed.
A third commented: “How ridiculous. They advertised it like she was spending the whole weekend with them,” while another shared: “Two hours? I thought it was a weekend retreat? Wow!”
However, Ms Markle’s representatives revealed that the former actress had no plans to attend the entire retreat.
“It was always confirmed that Meghan would only attend the weekend Q&A retreat,” Markle’s rep told Page Six in a statement. “She had a great time sitting and talking with Gemma in front of such an engaging audience.”
Her Best Life’s official website advertised the retreat only as a Q&A, calling Markle a “special guest.”
“Join us for an intimate and luxurious weekend by the sea, designed for women to come together for powerful conversations, relaxation, laughter, and unforgettable experiences,” it reads. “The highlight of the weekend will be my direct conversation with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.”
Her Best Life also offered two different ticket options: $2,699 per person and $3,199 per person.
The first option offered attendees a twin-shared hotel room and all the perks of the weekend, while the second option included a group table photo with Markle, an exclusive VIP swag bag, a premium hotel room and all the perks of the weekend.
A representative for Her Best Life did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Friday marked the final day of Prince Harry and Markle’s whirlwind fake royal tour of Australia, which began on Tuesday.
Before the retreat, the couple visited the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and gathered with veterans at the Australian National Veterans Gallery. Markle also found time to make a special guest appearance on MasterChef Australia.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry spoke about his journey and struggles with fatherhood at a Movember charity event in Melbourne on Wednesday. The pair also visited volunteer first responders from Sydney’s Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club on Friday.
