Meghan Markle Australia visit: Rumours swirl of Soho House is the real reason for Sydney visit

A few days before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex countries in AustraliaRumors have surfaced about the real reason for the visit – and it has nothing to do with girls’ weekends, philanthropic efforts or even her jam business.

Numerous reports suggest Meghan, Duchess of Sussexis come to Australia to raise awareness of a new members-only club set to open in Sydney – mirroring the original London location where she had her first date with Prince Harry.

And that makes sense, considering Meghan’s close friend Markus Anderson not only helped organize her trip to Australia, but is also an executive at Soho House — the private members club set to open a Sydney location this year.

Chatter that Meghan might actually come to Australia to boost interest in the club, where memberships are expected to range from $2,285 to $4,750 a year, first appeared on Reddit weeks ago and has since gained popularity.

Among the Reddit users who made the connection, one wrote: ‘Is Soho House sponsoring Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s upcoming trip?

“Last October they met a Ukrainian-Australian astrologer at Soho House New York and hinted at their visit.

‘Reports indicate that Markus Anderson, the Soho fixer and longtime friend of Markle, was involved in the planning process. Thoughts?’

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The Redditor seems to have a point. In November last year, Australia-based astrologer Angela Pearl shared a black and white photo of herself with the couple and what appeared to be leaked correspondence from the couple on Instagram.

In a typewritten letter dated October 24, written on Meghan’s signature monogrammed letterhead, Pearl was thanked for joining the couple at a recent event, believed to be in New York.

“Your energy and insight were such a welcome addition,” the letter said.

“On a separate note, we hope your family in Ukraine remains safe, and we look forward to keeping in touch, especially as we plan to visit Australia again.”

The letter was hand signed “Best Wishes” from Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

The post included a photo of Pearl with Harry and Meghan, on which she wrote: “I’m still in awe of this special evening. Thank you, Prince Harry and Meghan, for the warm invitation and inspiring conversation.”

As for the rest of the Soho House conspiracy theory, you only have to look at the comments of the woman who helped bring Meghan to Australia: Gemma O’Neill.

O’Neill, Jackie ‘O’ Henderson’s best friend and manager, managed to Meghan will appear at her upcoming Her Best Life Retreatand even admitted that it was Anderson who made this possible when she spoke on her podcast last month.

“I’m so flattered because [Meghan’s] We’re actually doing this as a favor on behalf of our mutual friend,” O’Neill told listeners.

O’Neill then explained that she had been friends with Anderson for years and that it was he who suggested that Meghan might be interested in working with her.

O’Neill said she received a text from Anderson in late 2025, while he was visiting Meghan’s home in Montecito, asking if O’Neill would like to work with the duchess if she ever returned to Australia.

“Markus messaged me because he was at Meghan’s house,” O’Neill said.

“Markus is also very good friends with Meghan, and has been for many years, long before she got married, and they have a beautiful friendship as well.

“He always said we would get along and always wanted us to have a connection.”

O’Neill said she was then contacted by “someone from Meghan’s team” when it was confirmed she would be visiting Australia, and things went from there.

She also denied that Meghan was paid a lot of money for attending the retreat, which begs the question: why would she do it?

That’s where the Soho House comes into the picture – and another strange link.

According to another Reddit user who commented on the original post, O’Neill is on the advisory committee of Soho House Sydney, and Meghan will not only likely come up with things for the company while she’s in Sydney, but will likely receive a commission for her efforts.

Indeed, on O’Neill’s Besties page, it says in the bio: “[Gemma] is also a member of the advisory committee of Soho House, Sydney.”

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Her Best Life Retreat with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex will take place from April 17 to 19 at the InterContinental hotel in Coogee, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

The highlight of the retreat is a ‘personal conversation’ with the Duchess during the gala dinner.

Tickets start at $2,699 per person, while a VIP experience, including a group table photo with Meghan, costs $3,199.

Meghan’s relationship with both Markus Anderson and Soho House goes back a long way indeed.

She and Markus were photographed together at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada in 2017 – which was also Meghan’s first public appearance with Prince Harry.

Meghan was also photographed at an event at Soho House Hollywood in January 2013, still wearing her engagement and wedding rings during her wedding to former husband Trevor Engelson.

Nine.com.au has contacted the Soho House Foundation for comment. 

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