Women who paid up to $3,199 to attend Meghan Markle’s “luxury” Her Best Life Retreat in Coogee, Sydney, over the weekend may have been left scratching their heads over the budget gift bags they received.
Organiser Gemma O’Neill had described the girls’ retreat as an “intimate luxury weekend by the ocean”, including two nights’ accommodation at the InterContinental Hotel, alcohol, meals, and a weekend full of “relaxation and wellness activities”.
The gift bags – totalling just under $200 – included a mix of affordable wellness products, low-cost beauty items, and a few freebies from Meghan’s As Ever brand.
Inside a branded Her Best Life tote was a $21 tin of Meghan’s edible flower sprinkles and the “Hold That Thought” leather bookmark, which currently costs $28 on the As Ever website.
Guests also received Quick Flick’s Tri-Peptide Lip Butter Glaze, which sells at Coles for $18, a $21 Hunter Traveller candle, a $39 Love Tea gift box set, and a bag of $4.50 Funday strawberry and cream lollies.
Completing the souvenirs, organisers threw in a pink journal emblazoned with the words, “Find Your Joy”, and a cobalt blue Her Best Life cap.
The cost of the gift bag in comparison to the retreat’s ticket price has shocked some people, with one social media user declaring it was “daylight robbery”.
“It’s giving TJ Maxx clearance section,” joked another.
On Friday, Meghan, 44, spent just two hours at the retreat before leaving with husband Prince Harry to watch the Super Rugby game at Allianz Stadium.
During her appearance, the Duchess of Sussex posed for photographs with VIP ticketholders and held an “in-person conversation” with O’Neill.
Meghan described her “very hard” life in the public eye, claiming she had “endured constant attacks” since marrying Harry in 2018 and that people’s criticisms of her were based on “projections”.
She also acknowledged the “amazing moments” she’d had since meeting Harry, including getting married and welcoming her two children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four.
Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, who founded the Besties company with O’Neill in 2023, was also present at the girls’ weekend, following the dramatic end of her Kyle and Jackie O radio show.
The 51-year-old left the Besties company earlier this year and attended the retreat in a “supporting role” to introduce guest speaker, Dr Justine Corry.
Following the Sussexes’ four-day tour of Australia, Meghan and Harry returned to Montecito on Sunday, where they were reunited with their two children.
“Australia, you have our hearts,” Meghan captioned an Instagram post.