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Meghan Markle’s Australia Trip Marred by Cancer Conspiracy Connection
Meghan Markle’s upcoming visit to Australia has become embroiled in controversy after revelations that a promoter of false conspiracy theories about Princess Catherine’s cancer will be among attendees at her exclusive event.
The Duchess of Sussex is set to host a $3,000-per-person “Her Best Life Retreat” in Sydney from April 17 to 19, positioned as an exclusive “girls’ weekend” and tied to her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard. The high-profile event has attracted significant attention in both Australian and international media circles.
Controversy erupted when several self-identified members of the “Sussex Squad” – an online group of vocal supporters of Harry and Meghan – claimed they had secured tickets to the exclusive gathering. Among them is an Australian social media influencer known online as @ZandiSussex, who boasts approximately 17,000 followers across various platforms.
The influencer in question has repeatedly promoted baseless conspiracy theories claiming that Princess Catherine’s cancer diagnosis was fabricated. Catherine, 44, publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis in March 2024 following abdominal surgery. In January 2025, she confirmed she was in remission after completing treatment.
“Undoubtedly, this kind of association can quickly upstage everything else,” a source familiar with the retreat told Radar. “Even if there is no direct connection with Meghan or endorsement from her, the optics alone are enough to raise questions and create unease around what is supposed to be a positive, aspirational experience.”
The source added: “The concern isn’t really about the concept of the event itself. What’s unsettling people is the type of individuals now publicly linking themselves to it and claiming to be part of the guest list.”
According to reports, the influencer has described Catherine’s diagnosis as “fake” and continued to repeat these claims online, alongside other inflammatory statements about the British royal family. This has raised questions about the vetting process for attendees at such a high-profile event.
The controversy threatens to overshadow what was intended to be a triumphant Australian tour for Meghan and Prince Harry, 41. The couple has been working to establish independent business ventures since stepping back from their roles as working members of the British royal family in 2020 and relocating to California.
While there is no suggestion that either Meghan or Prince Harry are aware of or endorse such inflammatory views, the association has nonetheless drawn criticism. Public relations experts note that such controversies can undermine carefully planned brand positioning efforts, particularly as Meghan works to establish her lifestyle brand in an increasingly competitive market.
The “Her Best Life Retreat” is part of a broader push by the Duchess to expand her commercial ventures. The event promises participants an exclusive weekend focused on well-being, personal development, and networking with like-minded women.
Royal commentators have noted that this controversy comes at a particularly sensitive time, as Princess Catherine has only recently returned to limited public duties following her cancer treatment. The Princess of Wales has received widespread support from the public throughout her health challenges.
Neither representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex nor the retreat organizers have publicly commented on the controversy at the time of reporting.
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6 Comments
It’s disappointing to see someone with a platform promote harmful falsehoods, especially around sensitive health issues. Markle should reconsider allowing this influencer to attend and potentially spread more misinformation.
I agree. Markle needs to take a firm stance against the spread of conspiracy theories at her event. The wellbeing of attendees and the public should be the top priority.
While I understand the desire to create an inclusive environment, allowing someone who promotes false cancer claims to attend Markle’s event could undermine its purpose and credibility. I hope Markle takes this issue seriously and addresses it transparently.
This is a troubling development. Spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories is irresponsible and can have real-world consequences. I hope Meghan Markle and her team thoroughly vet attendees to ensure the integrity of the event.
I’m curious to learn more about the specific claims this influencer has made regarding Princess Catherine’s cancer diagnosis. Do you have any credible sources that can provide more details on the nature of these conspiracy theories?
This is a tricky situation for Meghan Markle. On one hand, she may want to promote inclusivity, but on the other, she has a responsibility to ensure her event does not become a platform for spreading dangerous misinformation. A careful vetting process seems prudent.