Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s upcoming visit to Australia could deliver an unexpected boost for embattled radio star Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.
Rumours are swirling that the Duchess of Sussex may team up with Henderson during the couple’s trip Down Under, potentially appearing on the “Her Best Life” podcast- part of Henderson’s Besties brand.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to visit Australia within weeks, with the couple planning stops in Sydney and Melbourne for a series of philanthropic engagements, a source confirmed to News.com.au.
While their full itinerary remains under wraps, speculation is mounting that Meghan could make an appearance on the “Her Best Life” podcast, which was originally launched and co-hosted by Henderson and Gemma O’Neill through their company, Besties.
There is also talk the Duchess may appear as a special guest at a future Besties event- similar to the one hosted in 2023 that featured Hollywood star and lifestyle mogul Gwyneth Paltrow.
No upcoming events are currently advertised on the Besties website, although followers are encouraged to “sign up to be the first to know”.
If confirmed, landing a guest of Meghan Markle’s calibre would be a major coup for Henderson as she navigates the fallout from her dramatic split from KIIS FM’s The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
KIIS FM’s parent company ARN Media announced last week that Henderson, 51, had quit the long-running breakfast program after telling radio bosses she “cannot continue to work with” co-host Kyle Sandilands, 54, following an on-air dispute over star signs.
The pair clashed during a heated segment on February 20, with Sandilands accusing Henderson of being “almost unworkable”.
However, the saga took another twist on Saturday when the veteran radio host released a statement insisting she had not resigned from the program.
“Over the past few days, there has been a lot of speculation and misinformation about my departure from the show. I want to make one important point very clear: I did not quit or resign,” Henderson said in a statement.
“I am deeply saddened by the events of the past week and the possibility of the show ending. This has come as a shock to me, as it has to everyone else.”
Henderson said the “current media narrative” does not accurately reflect the reality of the situation.
“It has been truly heartbreaking to see how this has unfolded. At this stage, I am unable to say anything further, as I am addressing this through the appropriate legal channels,” she continued.
“Thank you to everyone who has sent kind messages of support during what has been an incredibly challenging time.”
The radio star had already stepped back from her weekly Besties podcast earlier in in the year, although she told listeners she would continue to “pop in” as a guest on future episodes.
At the same time, Harry and Meghan’s trip down under will mark over seven years since the couple first visited Australia together.
Their upcoming visit is expected to look very different from the high-profile royal tour they undertook in 2018, when they travelled across the country in an official capacity shortly after announcing Meghan’s first pregnancy with Prince Archie, now six.
This time, the Sussexes will be visiting as private citizens rather than working members of the Royal Family.
While Meghan’s schedule could include appearances linked to the Besties brand, Prince Harry’s itinerary may involve Australia’s defence community or veterans’ organisations.
The Duke has maintained strong ties with Australia’s military community since bringing the Invictus Games to Sydney in 2018.
It remains unclear whether the couple’s children- Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four- will accompany their parents on the trip or remain at home in Montecito, California.
According to News.com.au, the visit has reportedly been in the works for almost a year.
Skynews.com.au has contacted Henderson’s representatives for further comment.