Well, they wanted to modernize the British monarchy and here we are. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will be optimizing access to their lives by working with a Netflix film crew. The duo, who stepped down from official royal duties and moved to North America in early 2020, will star in a Netflix docuseries about the life they created after leaving Great Britain.
Meghan and Harry signed a multi-million dollar deal with Netflix in 2020, and it’s time to deliver the goods. A “pound of flesh” if you will, and certainly a hefty price to pay.
Page Six described the project as an, “at-home with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex-style.” An official release date has yet to be announced. Netflix wants the series to coincide with Prince Harry’s memoir release at the end of 2022. However, the Sussexes prefer to push the release into 2023. A producer confirmed, “the timing is still being discussed, things are up in the air.”
The bottom line is Meghan and Prince Harry received a staggering amount of money from the streaming giant and are expected to deliver the goods, a.k.a. access to their lives and potentially to the royal family as well. Word is that the couple’s Montecito, California home isn’t off limits either.
Netflix film crew followed the couple during their trip to New York City in September 2021. More recently, Meghan and Harry were being filmed at the Invictus Games in the Netherlands. That footage will create a mini film called, “Heart of Invictus.”
“I think it’s fair to say that Netflix is getting its pound of flesh,” a Hollywood insider told Page Six.
Meghan’s animated series “Pearl” was scrapped last month, along with a laundry list of shows that Netflix axed in the hopes of off-setting massive financial losses amid lowering viewership. Archewell Productions was meant to play a pivotal role in “Pearl” with Meghan as executive producer. Sir Elton John’s husband David Furnish was to join her. The show was centered around the activities of a 12-year-old girl who found inspiration from famous historical women.
So while the story of a young girl, presumably modeled off Meghan herself, didn’t really sell, access to the royal family will. The couple popped in to see the Queen just before her 96th birthday en route to the Netherlands. Harry was paid handsomely for a post-visit interview where he shared some private conversations with his grandmother. He also famously claimed that he wanted to make sure the monarch was well taken care of.
That visit with the Queen scored the couple an invite to the Platinum Jubilee next month. This event is meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 year reign, a celebration of her life of service. Presumably, Meghan and Harry plan to use the event to officially introduce 11-month old daughter Lilibet Diana to the great-grandmother that she was named after.
However, the Palace officially announced that the Sussexes will not be appearing on the royal balcony on opening day. What a media circus that would be. Presumably, palace insiders and courtiers are concerned about privacy and whether the couple will be trailed by film crew or recording devices. Because with a multi-million deal on the line, Meghan and Harry must deliver. And their main selling point seems to be unfiltered access to the royal family. Time to merch!
TELL US- WILL YOU WATCH THE SUSSEX DOCUMENTARY? WHAT ARE YOU HOPING WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SERIES?
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