Meghan Markle has come under fire for her upcoming appearance at a women’s event in Sydney, Australia, with some critics branding her as “Sarah Ferguson 2.0.” The Duchess of Sussex is set to headline a high-priced women’s retreat during her trip Down Under next month, alongside her husband Prince Harry.
The couple’s visit to Australia will be their first since their official royal tour in 2018, when they were still working members of the British royal family. The women-only weekend retreat in Sydney, which costs around $1,923 per attendee, is aimed at women interested in networking, personal development, and leadership. Markle is scheduled to appear as the headline dinner speaker on April 17, where she will share her experiences living in the public eye and navigating life under intense media scrutiny.
Critics have drawn comparisons between Markle’s paid speaking engagement and the controversial past of Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York. Some have criticized Markle for “trading on her fake-royal status for an easy payday,” likening her to Ferguson’s questionable money-making tactics. The optics of the event have raised concerns about the blurred lines between private business ventures and official royal engagements.
Despite the backlash, the event’s organizer, Gemma O’Neill, has defended Markle’s involvement, emphasizing the duchess’s personal connection to the community hosting the retreat. O’Neill praised Markle’s resilience in the face of public criticism and stated that the duchess agreed to participate as a favor due to their mutual friend. She highlighted Markle’s genuine interest in the retreat’s purpose of empowering women to grow and support each other.
During their 2018 visit to Australia, Markle and Harry represented the British monarchy in a series of official engagements. However, their upcoming trip will be in a private capacity, with Markle expected to undertake some solo appearances while the couple attends several engagements together. Despite the controversy surrounding her participation in the women’s event, Markle remains committed to supporting causes that align with her values and beliefs.
