Meghan Markle Opens Up About Being ‘Attacked’ in the Public Eye at Intimate Girls’ Weekend Retreat in Australia

Meredith KileFri, April 17, 2026 at 8:21 PM UTC

0

Meghan Markle speaks at the 2025 TIME100 Sumit on April 23, 2025Credit: Jemal Countess/Getty -

Meghan Markle opened up about "enduring" being in the public eye at a recent event

The Duchess of Sussex was the featured guest on the first night of a girls' weekend retreat hosted by Her Best Life podcast on April 17

She joined host Gemma O'Neill for a Q&A about her family life, her lifestyle brand and more

Meghan Markle opened up about life in the spotlight on her and Prince Harry's final night in Australia.

The Duchess of Sussex was the featured guest on the first night of a girls' weekend retreat hosted by Her Best Life podcast on Friday, April 17. Held at the InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, the weekend was billed as a luxury coastal retreat designed to bring women together for “powerful conversations, relaxation, laughter and unforgettable experiences.”

Friday night kicked off with "an intimate gala like no other," where Meghan, 44, took the stage for a Q&A with Her Best Life co-host Gemma O'Neill. Prince Harry and Meghan's pal Markus Anderson — who helped the collaboration come together — crashed the all-girl party to support Meghan during the chat, with the Duke of Sussex greeting her with a kiss and helping her on stage.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Sydney on April 17, 2026Credit: Jonathan Brady-Pool/Getty

The Daily Telegraph reported that, during their chat, Meghan opened up to O'Neill about "enduring" being in the public eye for more than 10 years.

She said that while the past decade has included some of her happiest moments — marrying Harry, 41, and welcoming their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4 — it's also been "very hard" being scrutinized and "attacked" by critics.

She added that people’s criticisms of her were more reflective of their own “projections.”

She also spoke about motherhood, saying it has taught her patience and given her perspective — something she said she needed “given what our life is like.”

Meghan Markle in Melbourne on April 16, 2026Credit: Jonathan Brady-Pool/Getty

The Duchess of Sussex snapped pics with guests at the event before she and Harry were off to attend a rugby match as their last event in Australia before heading home.

Advertisement

Earlier in the week, Meghan spoke with a youth mental health group about social media and well-being. During the discussion, she said she had been “bullied and attacked” every day for 10 years online and was “the most trolled person in the entire world.”

Prince Harry also opened up about public life during the couple's Australia trip. The Prince was the keynote speaker at the InterEdge Summit on April 16. He shared how he initially wasn't sure about giving the speech, wondering if he was supposed to appear to be someone who "has his s--t together."

"But I was struck by something quite simple — that while my experiences may be unusual, the feelings that come with them are not," Harry said.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Meghan Markle in Melbourne on April 16, 2026Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire-Pool/Getty

The prince admitted that there was a time, after the death of his mother, Princess Diana, when he didn't want to be in the public eye at all.

"I was like, ‘I don’t want this job. I don’t want this role — wherever this is headed, I don’t like it,' " Harry said, PA Media reported. “It killed my mum and I was very much against it, and I stuck my head in the sand for years and years."

"Eventually I realized, well, hang on, if there was somebody else in this position, how would they be making the most of this platform and this ability and the resources that come with it to make a difference in the world?" he added. “And also, what would my mum want me to do? And that really changed my own perspective."

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”