Jackie ‘O’ Henderson ‘banned’ from her own Besties event because of wild Meghan Markle demand

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Jackie Henderson, known as ‘O,’ is said to have been excluded from Meghan Markle’s speech at the Her Best Life Retreat.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will be the main attraction at the very first event hosted by Besties, a new events company created by radio personality Jackie ‘O’ Henderson and her manager, Gemma O’Neill.

According to a source speaking with Woman’s Day, the 51-year-old former radio host may not be allowed to perform at the event because Meghan reportedly made a surprising request.

According to a source, Meghan was concerned that the well-known broadcaster would overshadow her during the trip to Australia and New Zealand.

‘Everything hinges on this tour,’ the source said. 

‘It’s make or break and Meghan wants to steer clear of anything that could overshadow her mission.’

They added: ‘It’s why she requested Gemma to handle the interview rather than Jackie O.’

As a longtime follower, I’ve been hearing that while Meghan and Jackie seem to be on good terms, the reason Jackie wasn’t included in the event likely has to do with the drama surrounding her lawsuit against her old company, ARN. It’s not personal, apparently, but they’re probably worried about any unwanted attention or complications her involvement might bring.

‘Meghan really likes Jackie, but she has too much going on in her own life,’ the insider said.

‘The focus of this tour should be 100 per cent on As Ever and her and Harry’s philanthropic work.’

From April 17th to 19th, attendees at the Intercontinental in Coogee can enjoy a wellness retreat featuring yoga, sound healing, meditation, and a discussion led by a psychologist. The event also includes a disco night, a Q&A session with Meghan, and a gala dinner she’ll be attending.

Tickets cost around $2,699 for general admission, and VIP packages with closer access to the Duchess are available for up to $3,199.

Approximately 300 people are expected at the three-day event, and tickets are currently sold out, according to the event website.

However, there have been separate claims that not all tickets have been sold yet.

Gemma O’Neill, the retreat organizer, posted an update on Sunday about a conversation she had with Meghan before the event.

I just finished speaking with Meghan, and it was an amazing conversation. She sounded absolutely wonderful and was incredibly lovely.

I instantly connected with her – she’s fantastic! I already really like her, and I’m thrilled that new members of our community will get to meet her next weekend and see how wonderful she is too.

She’s incredibly excited about the event and really wants to connect with everyone there. She said she’s hoping for an open and honest conversation, a chance for us to connect as women and just talk frankly.

In the gushing video Gemma added that she already is Meghan’s ‘biggest fan’.

Meghan and Harry arrived in Australia on Tuesday morning, beginning a four-day trip to Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s team announced their four-day trip will center around mental wellbeing, strengthening communities, and helping veterans and their families, in addition to private meetings and other initiatives.

In addition to their public appearances, Harry and Meghan will also be pursuing private, paid work, such as hosting the Her Best Life Retreat.

Harry will be speaking at the InterEdge Summit in Melbourne on Thursday. The summit focuses on how leadership, workplace well-being, and strong relationships connect to create a positive work environment.

Tickets for the summit at Melbourne’s Centrepiece venue are priced as follows: standard tickets are $997, platinum tickets are $2,378, and a virtual ticket offering on-demand access to Harry’s speech costs $498.

A security expert estimates that the cost of providing security for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s four-day trip to Australia, paid for by taxpayers, will probably be at least $100,000.

Tony Loughran, a security specialist at Zero Risk, estimated on Tuesday that the cost of bringing in police to cover events could range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. He explained that this is because it diverts police resources from their regular duties.

He added the Sussexes will need a high level of security.

‘He’s inevitably going to bring his team over,’ Loughran explained.

They’ll work closely with private security on-site to coordinate efforts. Beyond that, the police will provide the outermost layer of protection.

Next, they’ll assess the security arrangements, including barriers and private event spaces that might require extra help. They’ll also focus on managing the crowds.

He pointed out that even simple things like leaving the airport after a flight aren’t free – they all involve some kind of expense.

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2026-04-14 04:19