In a move that has royal watchers and critics alike rolling their eyes, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is once again stepping into the spotlight for cold, hard cash. The woman who built much of her post-royal narrative around desperate pleas for privacy, relentless complaints about intrusive paparazzi, and dramatic tales of feeling stalked and unsafe is now headlining high-ticket events and promoting her personal brand like there’s no tomorrow.
Just this week, news broke that Meghan will be the star attraction at a luxury “Girls’ Weekend” retreat in Sydney, Australia, organized by the “Her Best Life” podcast. VIP tickets for the chance to dine, chat, and snap photos with the duchess are reportedly going for around $2,288 – that’s Australian dollars, mind you, but the message is crystal clear: access to Meghan comes with a hefty price tag. Prince Harry is tagging along for the trip, which includes his own separate speaking engagement, marking the couple’s first return to Australia since their 2018 royal tour.
This comes hot on the heels of Netflix ending its equity partnership with Meghan’s lifestyle brand, **As Ever**, which launched in 2025 amid her Netflix series *With Love, Meghan*. The brand peddles jams, teas, wines, and other “everyday luxury” items, all tied to Meghan’s carefully curated image of domestic bliss and empowerment. While Netflix praised her “passion for elevating everyday moments,” the split signals the brand is now flying solo – or, more accurately, being aggressively marketed solo.
But let’s rewind a bit, because the irony here is thicker than one of As Ever’s signature fruit spreads.
For years, Meghan has positioned herself as a victim of relentless media intrusion. She famously told Oprah Winfrey that “everyone should have a right to privacy,” lamenting the lack of it in her life. She and Prince Harry have spoken repeatedly about the dangers of paparazzi, with Harry citing his mother’s tragic death as a driving force behind his security concerns. More recently, incidents involving alleged stalkers – including a woman who reportedly got dangerously close to Harry during a UK visit in 2025 and had previously followed the couple to Nigeria – have fueled their ongoing battle for taxpayer-funded police protection in Britain.
Meghan has sued paparazzi agencies over photos of her children, pushed for control over images taken in public, and generally painted a picture of a family hounded and harassed at every turn. “Privacy for us, but not for thee” has become a common refrain from critics who point out the Sussexes’ selective outrage.
Yet here we are in 2026, and Meghan is voluntarily thrusting herself back into the public eye – not out of necessity, but for profit. She’s not being chased by cameras; she’s inviting paying customers to pose with her. She’s not hiding from the spotlight; she’s monetizing it through retreats, brand promotions, and appearances that scream “look at me!”
The upcoming Australian event is billed as a space for “powerful conversations, relaxation, laughter, and unforgettable experiences.” Attendees shelling out thousands will get intimate access to the duchess – the very kind of access she once claimed made her life unbearable when it came unsolicited from photographers or the public.
Critics on social media and in commentary circles aren’t holding back. One viral post summed it up bluntly: “She complained about the paps, complained about having no privacy and most of all, complained about the alleged ‘stalker’. But here she is, selling herself A-GAIN for money. The ONLY difference is, she’ll have clothes on!”
Others have dubbed it the continuation of the “Worldwide Privacy Tour,” a sarcastic nod to the couple’s habit of seeking global attention while demanding seclusion. Australian taxpayers are already grumbling about potential costs, with petitions circulating against funding what many see as a “faux-royal” celebrity jaunt.
This isn’t Meghan’s first foray into paid appearances or brand hustling post-royal exit. From her Netflix deals to Archewell projects to As Ever’s jam jars, the Sussexes have leaned heavily into commercial ventures. But the timing – right after a major partnership ends and amid ongoing privacy rhetoric – makes this latest move particularly galling to detractors.
Supporters might argue it’s empowering: a woman taking control of her narrative and building financial independence. But to many observers, it’s textbook hypocrisy. You can’t spend years decrying the invasion of your personal space and then auction off premium access to it.
As Meghan prepares to jet off to Sydney for her paid “girls’ weekend,” one thing is abundantly clear: the duchess who once begged for privacy is now quite comfortable selling it – at a premium, of course. Whether this latest chapter boosts As Ever or simply fuels more backlash remains to be seen. But the pattern is undeniable: when money’s on the line, privacy takes a backseat.
