Fans take swipe at Prince Harry for 'unusual' exit at Meghan Markle event: 'It was really odd'

Attendees at the ticketed event paid as much as £1,700 for VIP access, which included a personal photograph with Meghan and a gala dinner featuring dishes such as Hiramasa kingfish tostada and riverina Angus beef tenderloin.

Taking her seat in a plush pink armchair on a stage resembling a daytime television set, the duchess posed a question to the assembled women: "I've spent all my life investing in women, can I finally invest in me?"

Guests underwent rigorous security checks before entering, presenting photo identification and being scanned with metal detector wands.

Strict rules prohibited filming, though official photographers captured every moment for the organisers.

Once inside the main ballroom, approximately 150 attendees were seated across 19 tables and presented with goodie bags containing items from Meghan's As Ever lifestyle brand, including flower sprinkles, sugar-free sweets and a branded bookmark.

The duchess had taken the precaution of trademarking her brand with Australian authorities ahead of the visit.

One guest told The Times: "She was saying 'I've finally got control of my business' and that got a big cheer."

Meghan appeared entirely in her element, working the room as a natural showwoman, building her fanbase.

Prince Harry made a brief appearance at the event, sitting to one side alongside Markus Anderson, a director of the Soho House club chain and close friend of the couple. His departure, however, left guests bewildered.

One attendee told The Times: "It was the most unusual thing. People were taking pictures of Meghan on the stage and Harry sort of rushed out. Really quickly. He didn't wait for her to come off the stage, didn't collect her from the stage. It was really odd."

The same guest added: "I sat there and everyone kept going on about how handsome he was and how wonderful he was, but he just almost ran out. It was quite bizarre."

The duke's hasty exit stood in stark contrast to the attention lavished upon his wife throughout the evening.

The Sydney event epitomised how the Sussexes have transformed their royal status into a commercial enterprise since departing official duties six years ago in pursuit of "financial freedom".

When Meghan last visited Australia in 2018 as a working royal, she was performing duties on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.

Now, some aspect of their travels has been monetised, including a partnership with an AI fashion website enabling fans to purchase the clothes she wears.

The late Queen had made clear the couple could not be "half in, half out" when they stepped back from royal life.

However, the Sussexes have adopted the royal playbook for their own purposes, issuing formal "Operational Notes" to journalists and conducting engagements that mirror official tours whilst generating personal income.

The couple could return to Britain this summer ahead of Birmingham hosting Harry's Invictus Games next year.