The influential 'mutual friend' who brokered Meghan Markle's $3,000-a-head appearance at a women's retreat in Sydney today has been pictured in the eastern suburbs hours before the event is due to begin.

Markus Anderson, one of Meghan's closest confidants who played a crucial role in her early romance with Prince Harry, was spotted doing the Tamarama to Bronte coastal walk on Friday morning with the Duchess, accompanied by NSW Police protection.

Gemma O'Neill, the organiser of the 'Her Best Life' retreat for which Meghan is rumoured to be receiving a $250,000 appearance fee, earlier this week revealed that the former Suits actress was involved as a favour to her 'mutual friend'.

His appearance in Sydney today all but confirms that Anderson is that friend.

Anderson is a high-ranking executive with the Soho House group of private members' clubs, and O'Neill is on the board of Soho House Sydney, which is expected to open at the end of this year or early 2027.

On Friday morning, Meghan was seen enjoying the picturesque scenes of Sydney's most famous walking track with Anderson.

However, security rushed them into a waiting car when they spotted media nearby.

Meghan has been close friends with Anderson, who is Canadian, since her days as a B-list actress playing a supporting role in Suits, which was filmed in Toronto.

He helped facilitate secret meetings between Meghan and Harry when their romance was still secret in 2016, giving them key cards to suites at Soho House's luxury outpost in Toronto and on London's Dean Street.

Since the Sussexes decamped to California following their 2020 falling-out with the royal family, Anderson has often been seen by Meghan's side on outings in Los Angeles.

It's understood that Meghan's appearance at the Sydney retreat - where standard tickets cost $2,699 and VIP passes are $3,199 -  was brokered by Anderson while he was at the Sussexes' home in Montecito many months ago.

As O'Neill has previously said: 'Markus messaged me because he was at Meghan's house. Markus is also very close friends with Meghan and has been for many years, long before she was married, and they have a beautiful friendship too'. 

The April 17-19 event is anticipated to bring in nearly $1million in revenue, if all goes to plan.

However, all eyes will be on just how much time the headline act spends at the retreat, given Meghan has a full schedule on Friday.

Entrepreneur O'Neill has a chequered history with large-scale events. 

In 2023, her company Besties was set to host a luxury summit at Kokomo Private Island in Fiji, boasting a celebrity speaker line-up including comedian Celeste Barber and fashion designer Pip Edwards. 

Tickets for that event started at $9,000 for a shared room and $18,000 for a solo booking, with guests expected to arrange their own travel to the island. 

However, it was cancelled weeks before it was due to take place, leaving many disappointed.

Also, it was revealed last month that O'Neill's talent agency had entered voluntary liquidation in November, owing $543,548 to the Australian Taxation Office, with another $3,300 owed to small business Jack Lawrence Accountants and Advisors.

Administrators from Grant Thornton Australia said in a creditors' statement that the debts incurred by O'Neill's agency were in stark contrast to a seven‑figure commission paid by an unnamed 'key client' between October 2023 and March 2024.