Meghan prepares for £1,700-a-head hotel meet-and-greet with fans after Australian taxpayer-funded police surround her and Prince Harry as they meet Bondi massacre heroes

By MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER Published: 06:45, 17 April 2026 | Updated: 06:58, 17 April 2026 Meghan Markle is set to appear at a £1,700-a-head Sydney 'ultimate girls' weekend' that could net her up to £130,000 on the final day of her Australian tour with Prince Harry.    On a day where the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke to survivors of the Bondi terrorist attack in December, Meghan will meet women who have paid $3200 for VIP photos at Her Best Life women's retreat at the InterContinental in Coogee. Earlier in Sydney the couple sailed sail around the world-famous Sydney harbour, and posed for selfies with fans at the Sydney Opera House with police. After he looked angry yesterday when asked for a selfie by someone blocking Meghan's path, today Harry moved away a camera crew who came too close.  Harry and Meghan were gifted matching custom-made pairs of Invictus Australia-branded flip-flops, known as thongs Down Under. Harry's were emblazoned with 'G'day Hazza' while Meghan's had 'G'day Megs'. On Bondi, Harry hugged a man wearing only beachball-patterned budgie smugglers before the couple met survivors of the terrorist attack late in 2025. Some of the group they spoke to were among the first responders to the Bondi terrorist attack, in which 15 innocent lives were lost on December 14.  The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke to Jessica Chapnik Kahn, who survived the Bondi Beach terror attack while shielding her five-year-old daughter after attending a Hanukkah party. Ms Chapnik Kahn said it was an 'honour' to meet the couple during their visit to the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club. Prince Harry, and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, walk along the boardwalk after meeting volunteer first responders from Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club, during a visit to Bondi Beach The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pose for a selfie with a surf rescue team Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, hold flip-flops with the inscriptions 'G' day Hazza' and 'G' day Megs' presented by veteran Joel Vanderzwan as they take part in a sailing event with members of Invictus Australia in Sydney Harbour Meghan hugs Jessica Chapnil Khan, a survivor of the 2025 Bondi Beach terror attack The Duchess of Sussex meets volunteer first responders from Bondi and looked moved as she heard their stories of the terror attack last December A police launch boat takes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to a yacht to take part in a sailing event with members of Invictus Australia. The cost to Aussie taxpayers has been a controversial part of the trip The Duke of Sussex moves a camera man as he arrives at the Man O'War Steps, next to the Sydney Opera House Meghan had started her first day in Sydney with a stroll along the Tamarama to Bronte coastal walk, where she was joined by close friend Markus Anderson and plenty ofbodyguard She added: 'The greater problem in the world right now is hate. 'Hate is a human problem that we're facing, a very big problem. So to highlight that, to be able to connect with them on this heart level, I think is very special.' Discussing the attacks, Ms Chapnik Kahn said: 'When the gunshots started, we started running towards the beach, and it became very clear we weren't going to make it to the beach and stay alive. So we hid in a picnic area. 'I didn't want my daughter to die with gunshots and sirens and wailing mothers – I just couldn't reconcile that those would be her last moments. 'So I spoke really clearly into her ear, and I said: 'My darling, go inside yourself where all the love is, and stay there. Stay in your heart, my baby'. 'And she heard me, and we laid there together in this heart space in the middle of horror for who knows how long, and we survived'. A man clad just in beachball budgie smugglers was taking selfies in front of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Bondi Beach He then cornered Harry for a sweaty hug and proper photo (pictured) Harry poses with his new Aussie friend The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet volunteer first responders from Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club The couple speak with Elon Zizerb (R), a Bondi beach terror attack survivor Pictured, Meghan meets Romi Arnott with her 10-month-old daughter Sophie Lifeguard Jonathan Botts, who responded to the attacks, said Harry and Meghan's visit 'means a lot'. 'We had about 50 people at a Christmas party upstairs here at the surf club,' he said. 'We unfortunately witnessed the whole shooting massacre unfolding in front of our eyes. 'They've taken time out of their pretty brief visit to Australia to visit the site and meet with some of the people that were involved and a lot of the people who are affected.' Harry and Meghan examined artefacts that will make up the new exhibition at the Sydney Jewish Museum, including well-wishing messages and illustrations of members of the public who were hailed as heroes for helping people during the attack. The couple met Shannon Biederman, the museum's senior curator, who said it was 'really special' to have them visit. She said: 'This event has not only changed the Australian Jewish community, but the Australian community at large. 'It (the exhibition) is ensuring that it's not forgotten. 'When we start the memorial, in addition to the three tonnes of flowers that we were able to salvage, there were thousands of other items left – there were plush toys, there were crochet flowers, there were Lego flowers.' Naveed Akram, 24, is accused of 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act over the attack in which dozens of people were injured at Sydney's Archer Park in December. New South Wales Police allege Akram and his father – Sajid, 50, who was shot dead by police at the scene – carried out Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996, targeting the Jewish festival of lights. Discussing Harry and Meghan's visit to Bondi, Ms Biederman said: 'I think it's really special and I'm really grateful for them coming out. 'It's been a really challenging time for the community and all of these expressions of unity and support are greatly appreciated.' Earlier, Harry and Meghan delighted the public as they headed onto the sand, removing their shoes before walking towards the sea on a gloriously sunny morning, followed by an ever-increasing scrum of media and beachgoers who tried to snap selfies with the couple. The duke and duchess examined inflatable rescue boats used by lifeguards on the beach, while photographers got their shoes wet in the waves as they chased the perfect shot of the famous pair. While in Sydney, the duke and duchess will also join members of the Invictus Games community on the water of the city's famous harbour and meet past competitors. Meghan will also be interviewed on stage at a 'girls' weekend' retreat, costing £1,400 per ticket. VIP tickets for the event at the five-star InterContinental Coogee Beach hotel cost £1,670 and include a group table photo with the duchess. Her appearance was announced last month by Gemma O'Neill, host of the Her Best Life podcast, which is organising the 300-person event. The visit will conclude at a rugby fixture in Sydney between New South Wales Waratahs and Moana Pasifika at the Allianz Stadium on Friday. The Sydney Jewish Museum's senior curator said it was 'really special' to have the Duke and Duchess of Sussex view artefacts that will make up a new exhibition. Meghan kicked off her first day in Sydney with a stroll along the Tamarama-Bronte coastal walk, where she was joined by close friend Markus Anderson, surrounded by NSW Police officers. The Sussexes are now back at InterContinental Hotel in Coogee to prepare for later engagements. Tickets for the weekend cost up to $3,199 AUD (£1,400) with those who paid the extra £264 for a ticket allowed the chance to have a table photo with the Duchess. Meghan's fee has not been revealed but has been described as a 'fat one', and is apparently in the region of $250,000. Security at the hotel has also been increased with the arrival of the NSW Police Dog Squad. Meghan is also listed to join Harry at a Super Rugby game between the NSW Waratahs and Moana Pasifika at Allianz Stadium later tonight before they are expected to fly back to the United States. It's understood they'll be watch the game from a SCG Trust private suite alongside military and Invictus Games guests. Up to 15,000 are expected to attend tonight's match, while thousands more sports fans will pack the Sydney Cricket Ground next door for the AFL cross-town derby between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants. Earlier today Harry and Meghan were escorted by police protection as they sailed around Sydney Harbour. The couple insist their 2026 trip is 'privately-funded' but there has been a huge row Down Under because Australian taxpayers are due to foot the bill for some police security . Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition demanding the Sussexes cover all the costs themselves. One critic accused them of treating Australia 'like an ATM' because the country had been 'good to them' when they were working royals. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent several minutes shaking hands and taking selfies with fans when they arrived at the Sydney Opera House , as a heavy police and private security presence watched on. The couple then boarded a boat for a sail around the iconic harbour with Invictus Australia - similar the one they enjoyed the last time they were here in 2018 for the Invictus Games. They were escorted by NSW Police officers, which is funded by taxpayers. Meghan was gifted a pair of Invictus Australia-branded thongs emblazoned with G'day Megs. Meghan and Harry attended Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club to meet with heroes of the Bondi massacre before being surrounded by crowds. A heavy NSW Police and private security presence guarded the doors as the Duke and Duchess spent 30 minutes inside meeting 40 surf life savers. Harry, the Duke of Sussex arrives at the Man O'War Steps, next to the Sydney Opera House, with Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex The Duchess of Sussex poses for a selfie photo with a fan Harry also got into the spirit to pose for a photo Meghan then looked very happy to be sailing aroun Sydney Harbour Some of those lifesavers were among the first responders to the Bondi terrorist attack, where 15 innocent lives were killed and dozens more were injured on December 14. Harry and Meghan drew cheers from the crowd gathered outside as they emerged from the club. Flanked by lifeguards, they headed down to the famous shore to watch a surf club demonstration, where they were surrounded by hundreds of people. The crowd didn't appear to faze the couple, who happily shook hands and posed for selfies. Shannon Frost, the wife of surf lifesaver Jason, told Daily Mail that Meghan stopped to pat her dog Lolly on the way into the the venue. The visit was kept tightly under wraps and was not listed on the couple's official itinerary. The Duke of Sussex danced with a four-year-old Australian girl before sailing around Sydney's world-famous harbour with the Duchess of Sussex and Invictus Games supporters. Harry and Meghan delighted the public by posing for photos next to the Sydney Opera House's Man O'War steps, before taking to the water on a boat containing past competitors in the biennial games. Before jumping on their boat, the couple met veteran Joel Vanderzwan, who presented them with custom thongs (flip-flops) featuring the playful inscriptions 'G'day Hazza' and 'G'day Megs'. After receiving the gift on Friday, Harry joked that he normally receives 'budgie smugglers' from Invictus Australia. The couple also met Mr Vanderzwan's four-year-old daughter, Charlotte, his wife Alexandra and his nine-month-old twin sons – who, in a remarkable coincidence, are named Harrison and William. Meghan told Charlotte her husband was 'very good at twirling', before Harry stood up to twirl the girl around after she asked to dance with the prince. The couple then took to the water, with their vessel being surrounded by media boats attempting to film the couple, as a helicopter flew above them amid intense press interest in the couple's visit to Australia. The boat that Harry and Meghan boarded was specially designed to be accessible for those with wheelchairs, so injured veterans could board. A large boat that went past the couple's sailing vessel beeped its horn as passengers waved at Harry and Meghan on a sunny day on the water during the last day of their Australia visit. While sailing around the Harbour, Invictus Australia said participants would share 'first-hand accounts of how the organisation provides year-round support, using sport as a vital tool for recovery, rehabilitation, social connection and proactive wellbeing'. Michael Hartung, chief executive of Invictus Australia, said: 'Having the Duke and Duchess return to Sydney Harbour, where sailing first joined the Invictus movement, is a full-circle moment. 'It's a chance to show that Invictus in Australia isn't just a biannual event – it's a daily, grassroots movement. By the end of 2026, we will have supported over 30,000 veterans and their families through community-based sport.' Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, are presented with some custom thongs by Charlotte Vanderzwan and Invictus Australia Meghan looked particularly thrilled with the gift The Duke of Sussex holds a dog at the Cruising Yacht Club as his wife strokes it Harry previously visited the Sydney Opera House during his 2015 army secondment and his 2018 royal tour with Meghan. Hundreds gathered at the famous landmark in 2015 to greet Harry during a farewell walkabout, after he came to the end of a month-long attachment with the Australian Defence Force (ADF). While in Australia in 2015, Harry spent time training on helicopter simulators at barracks in Sydney, trained with the Special Air Service in Perth, and in Darwin, he worked with members of Norforce, the mostly Indigenous unit which patrols northern Australia. The Invictus Games involve 22 nations and around 500 competitors, with inspiration for the games coming from Harry's 2013 visit to the Warrior Games, which brings together hundreds of injured American military personnel to compete in adaptive sports as part of their recovery. Australia hosted the Invictus Games in Sydney in 2018 and the next Invictus Games will be held at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre in July 2027. No comments have so far been submitted. 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