Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix Deal Was Actually Plan B After the Queen Vetoed Their Original Plan
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's massive Netflix deal was reportedly their backup plan after the Queen vetoed their original post-royal plans.
- Even though their Netflix deal is massive, it apparently wasn't Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first choice for their post-royal career paths.
- The couple wanted to launch a global SussexRoyal brand, but the move was blocked by the Queen, royal experts Roberta Fiorito and Rachel Bowie pointed out on their Royally Obsessed podcast (opens in new tab).
- This could explain why Harry and Meghan reportedly kept the Netflix deal a secret from the Queen until it was publicly announced.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle set the tone for their post-royal lives when they announced their multimillion-dollar production deal with Netflix (opens in new tab). The Sussexes will be working with the streaming giant (opens in new tab) to produce documentaries, docuseries, feature films, scripted shows, and children's programming.
The deal, said to be worth as much as $240 million (opens in new tab), has allowed the couple to achieve their goal of financial independence from the royal family (opens in new tab), but forming a production company (opens in new tab) wasn't Harry and Meghan's first choice for their post-royal career paths, apparently.
On their Royally Obsessed (opens in new tab) podcast, hosts and royal experts Roberta Fiorito and Rachel Bowie discussed the deal—and what the Sussexes originally planned to do after their royal exit.
"It must have felt kind of nice to put in writing and release that information that they haven't been receiving any money," Fiorito said, according to Express (opens in new tab). "It confirms that they are doing this on their own and they planned for that and are going to be alright."
"I didn't expect it to be so so quickly. Six months later, they're already wiping their hands of the Royal Family's coffers," Bowie added. "What struck me as most surprising is how quickly they were able to follow through their plans. They essentially said, 'we laid out these plans, and it's not going to be a year, we're done'. They mean business."
This is where Fiorito pointed out that the Netflix deal was actually Plan B for the Sussexes—and the role the Queen played in forcing them to scrap Plan A.
"They also had to pivot from their full plan. They were going to do SussexRoyal, but the Queen put a stop to that," she explained. "They really had a different idea in their heads in January of how this would all go. So I'm curious how long the Netflix deal has been in discussions, but I feel like they have made things happen."
It's possible that Harry and Meghan's experiences trying—and failing—to launch their SussexRoyal brand (opens in new tab) played a role in the way they rolled out news of their Netflix deal. According to a report from The Sun (opens in new tab), the couple didn't tell the Queen about the Netflix deal (opens in new tab) before the news was announced publicly, which means the royal family didn't have a chance to weigh in on—or try to block—the move.
"Harry did not inform the Queen about the Netflix deal," a royal source said. "Her Majesty is all too aware of the pitfalls of when senior royals embark on lucrative projects—Prince Edwards’ production flop and some of the deals Sarah Ferguson has signed over the years to name a few. Her view is simple, the Royals are not for sale and danger surrounds high profile roles outside of the institution itself. But knowing her grandson Harry as she does, the Queen will know there would have been little chance of talking Harry and Meghan out of it."
Meghan Markle's Most Iconic Fashion Moments
March 9, 2020
Meghan and Prince Harry attend the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey with all of the royal family. Meghan is wearing a custom Emilia Wickstead dress and carrying a Gabriela Hearst Demi bag (opens in new tab); she's also wearing Birks earrings and Aquazzura heels (opens in new tab).
March 8, 2020
The Duchess of Sussex visits the Robert Clack School for International Women's Day. Meghan is wearing a ME+EM jacket (opens in new tab), a Cuyana T-shirt (opens in new tab), a Rejina Pyo bag (opens in new tab), and Jennifer Chamandi pumps (opens in new tab).
March 7, 2020
Meghan arrives with Prince Harry at the Mountbatten Music Festival. She is wearing a Safiyaa dress, Simone Rocha earrings (opens in new tab), and a Manolo Blahnik clutch (opens in new tab).
March 5, 2020
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive to the Endeavour Fund Awards. The Duchess of Sussex is wearing a blue tonal look in a Victoria Beckham pencil dress (opens in new tab), Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab), a Jessica McCormack bracelet (opens in new tab), and a Stella McCartney clutch.
January 7, 2020
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive at Canada House in London for their first 2020 appearance. She is seen wearing a Reiss Coat, Massimo Dutti turtleneck and skirt (opens in new tab), and Jimmy Choo Romy pumps (opens in new tab).
November 9, 2019
Meghan steps out in a bespoke Erdem dress, her favorite Aquazzura heels (opens in new tab), and Jessica McCormack earrings (opens in new tab), for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
November 7, 2019
The Duchess of Sussex attends the 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. She wore a Sentaler coat (opens in new tab), a Phillip Treacy hat, Tamara Mellon boots (opens in new tab), and Dents gloves (opens in new tab).
October 25, 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend a panel discussion on gender equality with The Queen's Commonwealth Trust. Meghan is wearing a monochromatic look in a Joseph sweater, a Hugo Boss leather skirt, Sarah Flint pumps (opens in new tab), and Emily Mortimer stud earrings (opens in new tab).
October 22, 2019
Meghan Markle arrives to the One Young World Summit in an Aritzia dress paired with Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab).
October 15, 2019
Meghan Markle recycles her engagement dress to WellChild Awards, a charity for seriously ill children and their families. She pairs her P.A.R.O.S.H. dress with a Sentaler coat (opens in new tab) and Montunas bag (opens in new tab).
October 2, 2019
For a South African engagement to visit the Youth Employment Services in South Africa, the Duchess of Sussex steps out in Hannah Lavery shirt dress, Madewell earrings (opens in new tab), and Stuart Weitzman pumps (opens in new tab).
September 30, 2019
Meghan Markle steps out during a visit to Monwabisi Beach with Prince Harry. She paired her Madewell denim jacket (opens in new tab) with Brother Vellies Huarache sandals (opens in new tab).
September 25, 2019
During the royal tour in South African, Meghan wore an Everlane black jumpsuit (opens in new tab)and Gas Bijoux gold statement earrings (opens in new tab).
September 25, 2019
Meghan and Archie step out for Archie's first royal engagement during the tour in South Africa. She wore a Club Monaco dress and a pair of Jennifer Meyer turquoise earrings (opens in new tab).
September 24, 2019
Meghan chose a Staud dress (opens in new tab), Cuyana scarf (opens in new tab) and Sam Edelman flats (opens in new tab) for the visit at Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day with Prince Harry.
September 23, 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit District 6 Museum in Cape Town, South Africa. Meghan wore a Veronica Beard blue button-down dress and Castañer espadrilles (opens in new tab).
September 12, 2019
The Duchess Of Sussex attends the launch of the Smart Works Capsule Collection, while wearing a Misha Nonoo button-down (opens in new tab) and wearing butterfly earrings and a cuff that once belonged to Princess Diana.
July 14, 2019
The Duke and Duchess walk the red carpet for the Lion King premiere in London. Meghan wears a Jason Wu dress and Nikos Koulis earrings (opens in new tab) with a Gucci clutch (opens in new tab).
July 13, 2019
The Duchess of Sussex enjoys Wimbledon in her Le Specs sunglasses (opens in new tab) and Jennifer Meyer earrings (opens in new tab).
July 4, 2019
Meghan Markle attends Wimbledon to watch her friend Serena Williams. She wore her L'Agence blazer (opens in new tab) and Finlay sunglasses (opens in new tab), and a delicate necklace (opens in new tab) with an A for Archie.
June 8, 2019
Meghan Markle steps out for her first royal appearance since giving birth. She attends the 2019 Trooping the Colour with Prince Harry in a Givenchy dress and hat by Noelle Stewart.
May 8, 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex present their baby, Archie, to the world. She wears a Wales Bonner trench coat dress, Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab), and Jennifer Meyer necklace (opens in new tab).
March 19, 2019
Prince Harry and Meghan arrive at New Zealand House in London to pay tribute to the victims of the New Zealand terrorist attacks. Meghan wears a vintage black cape, Gucci clutch (opens in new tab)and Aquazzura black cut-out pumps. (opens in new tab)
March 11, 2019
Meghan wore a Victoria Beckham dress (opens in new tab), coat, clutch (opens in new tab), and shoes to the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.
March 11, 2019
The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex attend a Commonwealth Day youth event at Canada House. The Duchess wore a Erdem set, Givenchy clutch, Aquazzura heels (opens in new tab), and Birks earrings (opens in new tab).
March 8, 2019
Meghan wore a Reiss printed dress, an Alexander McQueen blazer, a Stella McCartney clutch (opens in new tab) and Manolo Blahnik pumps (opens in new tab) to the International Women's Day panel discussion.
February 24, 2019
The Duchess Of Sussex wore Dior head to toe and Birks earrings (opens in new tab) while visiting Morocco.
February 24, 2019
The Duke and Duchess arrive to the "Education For All" boarding house in Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Meghan wore an Alice and Olivia blazer and Birdies slippers (opens in new tab).
February 23, 2019
The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex visit Morocco. Meghan wore a Valentino dress, a Valentino clutch (opens in new tab), and Gianvito Rossi gloves (opens in new tab) and pumps (opens in new tab) to meet the Crown Prince of Morocco, Moulay Hassan.
February 20, 2019
Meghan arrives at The Mark Hotel in New York City. She is seen wearing Cuyana Bag (opens in new tab), a Jennifer Meyer necklace (opens in new tab), and Adidas sneakers (opens in new tab).
January 30, 2019
Meghan Markle visits the National Theatre wearing a Brandon Maxwell dress and blazer, a Carolina Herrera clutch, and Aquazzura pumps (opens in new tab).
January 14, 2019
Meghan wears a Sentaler coat (opens in new tab), an Artizia dress, a