Meghan Markle's desperate for royal trip success as insider speaks out on 'garbage' claims

Meghan Markle is determined to make her Australian trip next month a success as sources close to her dismissed the negative press surrounding it as “utter garbage,” the Daily Express can reveal. The Duchess of Sussex will be travelling Down Under with her husband, Prince Harry, for four days in April, to promote their various passions and business ventures.

It is understood that Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will not accompany them on the trip. The Sussexes are also said to be focusing on their separate projects, with Meghan particularly committed to promoting her lifestyle brand, As Ever, as it expands into new markets.

One of the events Meghan is due to attend is a women-only gathering in Sydney, where tickets cost £1,440 per person and she will take part in an on-stage interview. Announced earlier this month, the Her Best Life Retreat will welcome up to 300 women for a three-day luxury event from April 17 to 19 at the five-star InterContinental Hotel.

The former Suits actress is set to appear as a guest speaker, with the programme including a gala dinner featuring an in-person conversation with Meghan, as well as what organisers describe as “powerful conversations, relaxation, laughter and unforgettable experiences”.

VIP tickets include premium seating at a table in the front two rows for the gala dinner, along with a group photo opportunity with Meghan.

However, the Duchess has been on the receiving end of negative press regarding her visit, with some commentators mocking the appearance as more akin to a “fan convention” or “Comic-Con” than the kind of high-profile platform she once commanded, such as her widely watched interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Local media from Down Under have also published a series of negative articles about the Duchess, with one outlet citing sources who claimed she is “horrified” after leaks about her visit were released.

But those close to Meghan Markle said she is determined to make her Australia trip a success and is “blocking out the noise”.

It is understood that the Sussex camp remains baffled by what’s been described as a “sustained fixation” on undermining Meghan.

A source close to the Duchess's team said: “We largely block out the noise. There will always be a small but vocal group of commentators who seem to treat criticising everything she does as a kind of sport.

“What is striking is how much hostility is directed at the simple fact that she is trying to build a business, as if that is somehow inappropriate or illegitimate. It’s an odd reaction.

“She and her husband stepped away from the institution and are financially independent. You would have thought that was precisely what critics wanted.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s last visit to Australia was in 2018, where they stayed for nine days during their 16-day royal tour of the South Pacific.

This upcoming trip is believed to be largely different from the pomp and pageantry of the previous one.

A spokesman for the Sussex couple previously said: “Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will visit Australia to take part in a number of private, business and philanthropic engagements.

“Further details will be shared in due course.”