Top News

A journalist has reportedly been barred from attending a wellness retreat headlined by Meghan Markle because of her profession. The Duchess of Sussex is due to speak at the Her Best Life event in Sydney during an upcoming trip to Australia with Prince Harry. The promise of a luxury weekend by the ocean with cocktails, yoga and sound healing was enough to entice reporter Ariana Pezeshki to part with $2,699 (£1,440) for a ticket, with Meghan's appearance an added bonus.

Ms Pezekshi signed up for access to the wellness weekend, secured a place on the invite list and handed over the cash sum. A turning point came when she requested a tax invoice after being unsettled by a lack of clarity around the event's itinerary due to "security requirements", however.

Ms Pezekshi said she received a phone call attempt before a "blindsiding" email, informing her that she could no longer attend the event because of her job in media.

"Because this was a 'closed-door experience', they were no longer able to offer me access," she wrote in Australian outlet 7News.

"My ticket would be refunded in full. Just like that, I went from invited guest to excluded attendee, not because of anything I had done, but because of what I do for work."

Despite explaining that she had been "genuinely excited" by the prospect of the weekend and worked in shopping and affiliate, rather than investigative journalism, the event organisers held firm.

"That's where the disappointment curdled into something bigger," Ms Pezekshi said. "Because this is an event explicitly marketed around women uplifting women. Connection, celebration, meaningful conversations, community.

"Yet I was turned away not for bad faith, not for violating any disclosed rule, but for my job title. The irony is hard to miss."

Harry and Meghan will head Down Under later this month to undertake various "private, business and philanthropic engagements".

Gemma O'Neill, host of the Her Best Life podcast, who is oranising the three-day event from April 17 to 19, said Meghan had contacted her about appearing at the "ultimate girls weekend" after being put in touch by a mutual friend.

"I feel so flattered that she's effectively doing this as a favour because of our mutual friend," she said. "She's doing it because she really loves what our community is about, which is women trying to grow, try to be their best selves and trying to help other women."

The Express has contacted Her Best Life for comment.