MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry allegedly didn’t tell the Queen about their big Netflix deal before announcing it, a source has claimed. It has been revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could rake in up to £75million after signing a mega-bucks deal with the streaming platform. A source told Fabulous that “Harry did […]
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry allegedly didn’t tell the Queen about their big Netflix deal before announcing it, a source has claimed.
It has been revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could rake in up to £75million after signing a mega-bucks deal with the streaming platform.
A source told Fabulous that “Harry did not inform the Queen about the Netflix deal” and Her Majesty, 94, was told the news by her aides.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have never produced a TV show, will make documentaries, films, scripted and kids’ programmes in the new partnership.
The source added: “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.”
While the couple may have not informed the Queen about the deal, it has been reported that the Netflix deal will be “examined” by the Palace over its commercial links.
An insider today claimed the commercial deal would be “scrutinised” – particularly as the couple were still paying back the £2.4million for refurbishments to Frogmore Cottage.
The source told The Mirror today: “Under the terms of their deal to forgo their royal duties, they agreed any commercial deals would be subject to discussion.”
The source pointed out the Netflix deal was similar to speaking engagements or corporate work that would be scrutinised.
The couple, who quit royal duties in March, said they wanted their “impactful” output to “unlock action” and “give hope”.
Their lives “have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit: of courage, resilience, and the need for connection”, they added.
Their pals the Obamas, also first-time producers, reportedly received up to £74m in a similar Netflix deal in 2018.
Royal commentator Duncan Larcombe said that the Queen is likely to be concerned about what the Netflix deal will really look like.
He said: “The Netflix deal represents a significant move for Harry and Meghan.
“It would make them far more independent and allows them to cut their ties to the Royal family even further.
“The suggestion that the Queen was effectively the last to know is astonishing.”
Before signing with Netflix, Harry and Meghan held talks with Disney and Apple, the New York Times reports.
Two executives involved in the discussions claimed representatives for the couple wanted to secure a deal worth around £75m, according to the US paper.
Duncan added: “People will also question whether this lucrative deal was Meghan’s plan all along.
“Marry a Royal, and boost your Hollywood clout beyond your wildest dreams.
“Personally I think that would be a bit unfair on Meghan but as ever it is perception that rules and for some this will be the worst example of a Royal ’cashing-in’ in the history of the family.“
PR guru Jonathan Shalit says Harry and Meghan will net between £37m and £75m.
He told The Sun: “It is a staggering deal.
“Never before has a Hollywood studio got hold of British royal family – this is historic.
“Meghan and Harry will hire shadow producers to do the work but their names alone attached to Netflix are gold dust.”
The Sussexes, who moved to LA in March after their split with the royal family, have founded a production company which has yet to be named.
Mr Shalit, of InterTalent Rights, claimed Harry, 35, and Meg, 39, could pocket bonuses which would increase their haul to more than £180m.
The deal will see them produce content for Netflix’s 193m subscribers.
The couple may appear on camera in documentaries, but former Suits star Meghan has no plans to return to acting, a representative told the New York Times.
The Queen told them they couldn’t use the word “Royal” in their branding after they quit to become financially independent and live in North America.
Earlier this summer, the royal couple moved into a £11m home in Santa Barbara after their stay in Tyler Perry’s £14m LA mansion.
The couple now live in a £11m nine-bedroom and 16-bathroom mansion in upscale Montecito, Santa Barbara.
Before this mega-bucks Netflix deal, it was reported the couple were offered a million-pound deal with Spotify to produce exclusive podcasts.
The production company is understood to operate differently from their charitable foundation – Archewell.
Last month, Harry and Meghan officially changed the name of their Sussex Royal brand to the MWX Foundation, it was reported.
